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Class. 

Book. 

Copyright 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSm 



THE WHITE CHRISTMAS 

AND OTHER 
MERRY CHRISTMAS PLAYS 



THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED 

WITH THE BEST WISHES OF THE AUTHOR 

TO 

FRANCES MAAS ULLMANN 

TITE ORIGINAL 

' ANITA" 

AND 

LUDWIG BLOCK ULLMANN 

THE ORIGINAL 

"JOLLY JACK FROST" 



" I have always thought of Christmas time . 
. . as a &gd<1 time ; a kind, for&ivin&, chari- 
table, pleasant time; the only time . . . 
when men and women seem by one consent to 
open their shut-up hearts freely . . . ; 
and I say, God bless it ! " 

Charles Dickens. 




From "Anita's Secret or Christmas in the Steerage' 



THE WHITE CHRISTMAS 

AND OTHER 

MERRY CHRISTMAS PLAYS 



BY 



Walter Ben Hare 



/ 



AUTHOR OF THE PLAYS 

'Aaron Boggs, Freshman," "Abbu San of Old Japan" "Civil 
Service" "A College Town" "Kicked Out of College," 
"Macbeth a la Mode, " "Mrs. Tubbs of Shanty town. " 
"Parlor Matches," "A Poor Married Man," 
"Rose o' My Heart, " "A Rustic Romeo, " 
" Savageland, " "A Southern Cin- 
derella, ' ' etc. 



ILLUSTRATED BY 

BUCKTON NENDICK 




CHICAGO 

T. s. denison & COMPANY 
Publishers 



t&^M^ 






vJf\^ 



COPYRIGHT, 1917 

BY 

EBEN H. NORRIS * 



c* x 



6 



a 



SEP 26 1917 ' a 

©C1.A4736T7 



FOREWORD 




N these little plays I have tried to bring 
before the public the two dominant charac- 
teristics of the ideal Christmas season, kind- 
ness, expressed by "good will toward men," 
and the inward joy wrought by kind acts, 
and suggested by "peace on earth." As 
Yuletide draws near we like to think of the swell of 
Christmas feeling, kindness, peace and good will, that 
rises like a mighty tide over the world, filling it with 
the fresh, clean joys and generous impulses that pro- 
duce the peace that passeth understanding. 

Some of the plays are filled with the spirit of fun 
and jollity that is always associated with Christmas 
merrymaking; in others I have tried to emphasize 
the spiritual blessings brought to the children of 
men on that first white Christmas night when Christ, 
the Lord, was born in Bethlehem, and all the angels 
sang, "Gloria in excelsis, peace on earth, good will 
toward men." 



CHILDREN IN PLAYS. 

The love of mimetic representation, either as a 
participant or as a spectator, is an ineradicable 
instinct of childhood and adolescence. Most of these 
plays call for a somewhat large number of children. 
This need not daunt the producer as the chief char- 
acters are few and many of the parts have very few 
lines to speak. Many extra children may be intro- 
duced in several of the plays, as a chorus. At Christ- 
mas time, the children's season, it is best to allow 
all who so desire to take part in the entertainment. 
Some of the parts are rather long, but all have been 

5 



played by children of the age indicated in the text. 
Very little children have sometimes done remarkable 
work in the plays. I remember one instance when a 
very tiny Tiny Tim, who was not four years old, 
spoke his part correctly, was heard in every corner 
of the church and acted with a naturalness that was 
indeed remarkable. 

REHEARSALS. 

First and foremost, do not over-rehearse your 
play. The chief charm in Christmas plays lies in 
their naturalness and simplicity, a part of which is 
almost sure to be lost if they have rehearsed the 
play until they have lost their wonder and excite- 
ment and enjoyment in the make-believe game of 
amateur theatricals. 

The director's aim should be to establish a happy 
co-operation with the players that will make the 
whole production, rehearsals, dress rehearsals and 
final performance, a series of good times crowned 
by a happy, if not perfect, production. The direc- 
tor should always strive to be cheerful and happy, 
ever ready to give advice and ever ready to ask for 
advice, even from the youngest players. Take them 
into your confidence. Discuss color schemes, cos- 
tuming, property making, lighting and scenic effects 
with your actors. 

At the first rehearsal have the children listen to 
a reading of the play. Then read a short scene in 
detail, allowing each actor to read several parts. 
Try every child in every child's part before you 
make your final selection of the cast of characters. 
If it is possible, begin your second rehearsal on 
the stage where the play is to be given. Arrange 

6 



chairs to represent entrances, doors, windows, etc., 
and have all properties on hand, in order to im- 
press on the children's minds the necessity of learn- 
ing the words and the action at the same time. 
At the third rehearsal the play should be given in 
its entirety, music, gestures, entrances, exits, group- 
ings and crossing from one side of the stage to an- 
other at a given cue, etc. In fact, everything as in 
the completed production, except that the actors 
may use their copies of the play for reading the lines. 

DELAYS. 

The director should make every effort to guard 
against stage waits and delays of every sort. Have 
your stage hands, prompter, property managers, 
scene painters and all your assistants on hand at 
every rehearsal, if possible. Long waits between the 
acts, tardiness in beginning the performance, and 
all delays do much to destroy an otherwise happy 
impression. Every piece of scenery, every costume, 
every bit of make-up and every property should be in 
its place — all ready to make a smooth final perform- 
ance. Dress rehearsals are absolutely necessary. 
The last two rehearsals should be complete perform- 
ances of the play with lights, curtains, costumes, 
make-up, scenery and all incidentals exactly as they 
are to be on the night of the performance. 

With such preparation, scarcely anything is im- 
possible of attainment. The pleasure of the work 
and the pride in a production well done will amply 
repay an ungrudging lavishment of time and labor. 

Brury College, Walter Ben Hare. 

Springfield, Mo. 



STAGE DIRECTIONS. 

Stage directions are purposely simplified and few 
abbreviations used. R. means right of the stage; 
C, center ; L., left, etc. The actor is supposed to be 
facing the audience. 



MUSIC. 



All the music which might be difficult to obtain, 
has been included in this volume. The songs sug- 
gested are old airs familiar to everyone and can all 
be found in "The Golden Book of Favorite Songs," 
which will be supplied by the Publishers of this book, 
upon the receipt of 15 cents per copy. 



8 



CONTENTS 



The White Christmas (8 Male, 7 Female Adults) 13 

Anita's Secret or Christmas in the Steerage 

(1 Male Adult, 9 Boys, 7 Girls) 49 

Christmas With the Mulligan's (2 Female Adults, 

5 Boys, 5 Girls) 93 

The Wishing Man (4 Male Adults, 13 Boys, 
7 Girls) 131 

A Christmas Carol or the Miser's Yuletide 
Dream (10 Male, 5 Female Adults, 4 Boys, 
4 Girls) 167 

Her Christmas Hat (4 Male, 5 Female Adults) . .203 



* 



X 



THE WHITE CHRISTMAS 




12 



THE WHITE CHRISTMAS 

A CHRISTMAS MORALITY PLAY IN ONE ACT. 

Originally produced by the Quadrangle Club of 
the University of Missouri, Christmas Eve, 1909. 

CHARACTERS. 

Mary The Maiden Mother 

Joseph Of the House of David 

Simeon An Old Shepherd 

Timothy A Shepherd, the Husband of Anna 

Isaac A Young Shepherd 

Anna The Wife of Timothy, the Shepherd 

Thomas Her Little Son 

Ruth Her Little Daughter 

Deborah Hostess of an Inn at Bethlehem 

Rachel A Maiden of Bethlehem 

Priscilla Her Cousin 

Melchoir . 1 

Gaspar .... r The Wise Men from the East. 

Baltasar. . J 

A Concealed Choir. The Prologue. 
For description of costumes, arrangement of the 
scene, etc., see "Remarks on the Production" at the 
end of the play. 

Time of Playing — About One Hour. 



Scene I: Before the play begins the Prologue 
steps in front of the curtains and addresses the con- 
gregation. 
Prologue. 

The earth has grown old with its burden of care, 

But at Christmas it always is young, 
The heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair, 
13 



Merry Christmas Plays 



And its soul, full of music, bursts forth on the 
air, 
When the song of the angels is sung. 

It is coming, Old Earth, it is coming tonight ! 

On the snowflakes which cover thy sod 
The feet of the Christ Child fall gentle and 

white, 
And the voice of the Christ Child tells out with 
delight, 
That mankind are the children of God. 

On the sad and the lonely, the wretched and 
poor, 

The voice of the Christ Child shall fall; 
And to every blind wanderer open the door 
Of hope that he dared not to dream of before, 

With a sunshine of welcome for all. 

— Phillips Brooks. 

And it came to pass in those days, that there went 
out a decree from Csesar Augustus, that all the world 
should be taxed. And this taxing was first made 
when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went 
to be taxed, every one into his own city. 

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of 
the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of 
David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of 
the house and lineage of David. To be taxed with 
Mary his espoused wife 

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days 
were accomplished that she should be delivered. And 
she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped 
him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; 
because there was no room for them in the inn. 
(Exit Prologue.) 

14 



The White Christmas 



(Soft chimes. As these chimes die away in the 
distance a concealed choir is heard singing.) 

O COME, COME, AWAY. 

O come, come away 
From labor now reposing, 
Let busy care a while forbear; 
O come, come away. 

(The front curtains are drawn, showing a winter 
street in Bethlehem. No one appeal's on the stage, 
but the choir continues singing outside at right 
front.) 

Come, come, our social joys renew, 
And thus where trust and friendship grew, 
Let true hearts welcome you, 
O come, come away. 

Rachel and Priscieea enter from the inn at right 
front, arm in arm. They go to the center, then to 
the rear of the stage, turn and face the inn, pause 
a moment or two, listening to the choir, and then 
go out at rear left. The choir continues: 

From toils and the cares 

On which the day is closing, 

The hour of eve brings sweet reprieve, 

O come, come away. 

come where love will smile on thee, 

And round its hearth will gladness be, 

And. time fly merrily, 

O come, come away. 

While the choir is singing the last three lines of 
the song, Simeon and Isaac enter from rear left, 
leaning on their shepherd's crooks. They pause at 

15 



Merry Christmas Plays 



rear center and listen to the singing. When the song 
is finished the organ continues the same music softly. 

Simeon. 

Make haste, my son, the hour is waxing late, 

The night is cold, methinks our sheep await. 
Isaac. 

Nay gran'ther, I would liefer tarry here. 

The town is gay, the inns are full of cheer. 
Simeon (points to rear right). 

But there our duty lies, the wind grows cold ! 

Come, let's away and put the sheep in fold. 
Isaac. (Starts off right.) 

Nay, Simeon, wait ! What means this crowd of 

men 
And women here in peaceful Bethlehem? 

Simeon (comes to him). 

Herod the King hath issued a decree 
That each and all his sub j ects taxed be ; 
And every one who in this town saw light 
Must here return and register tonight. 
From all Judea, aye, from th' distant land, 
Each Bethlehemite must come at his command. 

Isaac (comes to the doorway of the inn and peers in). 
The town is full of people, great and small, 
Each inn is crowded to its very wall. 

Simeon (comes down center and takes his arm). 
But come, we're wasting time, 'tis very late. 
Make haste, my son, I know the flocks await ! 

Isaac. 

Thou speakest true, though I would rather stay, 
Our duty calls, so to the hills, away! 

(They go out at rear right.) 

16 



The White Christmas 



The concealed choir repeats the first stanza of the 
song softly. After a slight pause Deborah enters 
from the inn. 

Deborah (coming down to right front). 

My inn is crowded to the doors. The heat 
Is stifling, but out here the air is sweet. 

(Looks upward.) 
The bright stars twinkle with mysterious light, 
Methinks there's something strange about the 
night. 

She sits on the bench in front of the inn. Timothy 
enters from rear left. Deborah continues her 
soliloquy. 

The air is still, the night is very cold, 

The shepherds seek the hills to watch the fold. 

(Timothy goes out at rear K.) 

Deborah. 

Some strange, unearthly voice seems calling me, 
Methinks this night portends great things to be. 

Enter Rachel and Priscilla from rear right, 
then come down center and address the hostess. 

Rachel. 

Hail, hostess of the inn, my cousin here 

Hath lodgings at your inn. We'd seek its cheer. 

Deborah (rises). 

Enter within. My guests tonight are gay 
And fain would turn this winter's night to day. 

Rachel and Priscilla enter the inn, followed by 
Deborah. The organ music continues softly. After 
a slight pause enter Anna from rear left. She leads 
Ruth and Thomas by the hand. 

IT 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Thomas (at rear center). 

Oh, mother, hark ! There's music in the inn ! 
Anna. 

'Tis not for us — their noise and merry din. 
Ruth. 

Our little town is crowded, joyous, gay. 
Thomas. 

So many travelers came this way today. 
Ruth. 

The night is chill and cold, I much do fear 

The little sheep will shiver by the mere. 
Anna. 

Too cold it is for thee, I fear, in truth, 

Return and get thy cloak, my little Ruth. 

We'll wait for thee upon the little hill. 

(Points off R.) 

But speed thy steps, the cold will work thee ill. 
Ruth. 

I'll fly, dear mother, like an arrow home. 

(Runs out at L.) 
Anna. 

We must not tarry. Come, my Thomas, come! 
(She leads him out at rear R. There is a pause. 
The music changes to a mysterious plaintive air. 
The old German song, Holy Night, may be effec- 
tively introduced as an organ solo.) 

Enter from rear right, Joseph, walking with a 
staff and supporting Mary. 

Mary. 

Here is a place, now I must rest awhile! 
For many a league, for many a weary mile, 
We've trudged along since break of day began. 

18 



The White Christmas 



Joseph. 

'Tis true, and I'm an old and ancient man, 
My joints are stiff, my bones are waxing old — 
And the long night is bitter, bitter cold. 
Here take my cloak and keep thee warm within, 
And wait thee here while I search out an inn. 

(He wraps his cloak around her and seats her on 
the bench or stool in front of the manger. He goes 
out at rear left. The music changes to the Magnifi- 
cat, to be found in all Episcopal hymnals.) 

Mary (sings). 

My soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit 
hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 

For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his hand- 
maiden. 

For behold, from henceforth: all generations 
shall call me blessed. 

For he that is mighty has magnified me : and 
holy is his Name. 

And his mercy is on them that fear him: 
throughout all generations. 

He hath showed strength with his arm: he hath 
scattered the proud in the imagination of 
their hearts. 

He hath put down the mighty from their seat: 
and hath exalted the humble and meek. 

He hath filled the hungry with good things : 
and the rich he hath sent empty away. 

He remembering his mercy hath holpen his 
servant Israel: as he promised to our fore- 
fathers, Abraham and his seed, forever. 

Enter Joseph from rear L. 

19 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Joseph. 

For hours I've trudged the street in fruitless 

quest, 
Here is an inn, mayhap at last we'll rest. 

Enter Deborah from the inn. 
Mary. 

Husband, I'm faint ; I can no farther go. 
Methinks I'll rest me here upon this loe. 

(Sits in front of the manger.) 
Joseph (assisting her). 

Have courage, Mary, here's the hostess here. 
(Comes to Deborah at right.) 
We'd lodge with thee tonight. 
Deborah. 

Alas, I fear 

My inn is crowded to the very wall, 
Soldiers and scribes, the rich, the great, the 
small ! 
Joseph. 

Is there room for us? My wife is ill. 
Deborah. 

My heart is sad and it is not my will 
To send you hence, but naught is left to do. 
Perhaps some other inn will shelter you. 
Joseph. 

Alas, the other inns are all the same! 
Deborah. 

Never was seen the like in Bethlehem. 

(Laughter and noise at R.) 
My guests are merry, hear their jovial din! 

(Goes to R.) 
I pity you, there's no room at the inn. 

(Exits into the inn.) 

20 



The White Christmas 



Mary. 

Our last hope gone ! Now, what shall we do ? 

My strength is leaving! (Bows head.) 

Joseph. 

Would I could succor you. 

I'll wrap thee warm. Now rest thee here a while. 

We've traveled far, full many a weary mile. 

Enter Ruth from rear L., hurrying along. 
Joseph. 

Maiden, I fain would stop thee in thy flight — 
Can'st tell where we could lodge this winter 
night ? 
Ruth. 

That inn is crowded. There's one upon the hill. 
Joseph. 

I've tried them all, my wife is very ill. 
Ruth. 

That little stable there upon the loe, 

(Points to L front.) 
'Tis snug and warm. 'Twill shield thee from 
the snow. 
Mary (rises). 

God's blessing on thy little head, sweet child! 
Come, Joseph, for the wind now waxes wild. 

(Exits L. front.) 

(Joseph leads her to exit L., then turns and looks 
off R.) 
Joseph. 

O little town of Bethlehem, 
How still we see thee lie! 
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep 

21 



Merry Christmas Plays 



The silent stars go by. 
Yet in thy dark streets shineth 

{Turns toward manger.) 
The everlasting Light; 
The hopes and fears of all the years 
Are met in thee tonight. 
(Ruth stands at rear C, watching him.) 
The curtains slowly fall. 

Scene II: Hymn by the congregation. 

WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS. 

While shepherds watched their flocks by 
night, 

All seated on the ground. 
The angel of the Lord came down, 

And glory shone around, 

And glory shone around. 

"Fear not," said he, — for mighty dread 
Had seized their troubled mind, 

"Glad tidings of great joy I bring, 
To you and all mankind, 
To you and all mankind." 

"To you in David's town this day, 

Is born of David's line, 
The Saviour, who is Christ, the Lord, 

And this shall be the sign, 

And this shall be the sign." 

"The heav'nly babe you there shall find 

To human view displayed, 
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, 



The White Christmas 



And in a manger laid, 
And in a manger laid." 

Thus spake the seraph — and forthwith 
Appeared a shining throng 

Of angels, praising God, who thus 
Addressed their joyful song, 
Addressed their joyful song: — 

"All glory be to God on high, 
And to the earth be peace; 

Good will henceforth, from heav'n to men, 
Begin and never cease, 
Begin and never cease." 

The Prologue appears before the curtains and 
speaks. 

Prologue. 

There's scarlet holly on the streets, and silver 

mistletoe ; 
The surging, jeweled, ragged crowds forever 

come and go. 
And here a silken woman laughs, and there a 

beggar asks — 
And, oh, the faces, tense of lip, like mad and 
mocking masks. 
Who thinks of Bethlehem today, and one lone 

winter night? 
Who knows that in a manger-bed there 
breathed a Child of Light ? 

There's fragrant scent of evergreen upon the 

chilling air; 
There's tinsel tawdriness revealed beneath the 

sunlight's glare; 

23 



Merry Christmas Plays 



There's Want and Plenty, Greed and Pride — 

a hundred thousand souls, 
And, oh, the weary eyes of them, like dull and 
sullen coals. 
Who knows the town of Bethlehem, once 

gleamed beneath the star, 
Whose wondrous light the shepherds saw 
watching their flocks afar? 

And yet above the city streets, above the noise 

and whir, 
There seems to come a fragrant breath of frank- 
incense and myrrh. 
I saw a woman, bent and wan, and on her face 

a light 
The look that Mary might have worn that other 
Christmas night. 
And as the little children passed, and one lad 

turned and smiled, 
I saw within his wistful eyes the spirit of the 

Chlld - —Caroline Reynolds. 

And there were in the same country shepherds 
abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock 
by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon 
them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about 
them; and they were sore afraid. 

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, be- 
hold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which 
shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day 
in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the 
Lord. 

And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find 
the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a 
manger. 



The White Christmas 



And suddenly there was with the angel a multi- 
tude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, 
good will toward men. 

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away 
from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to 
another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and 
see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord 
hath made known to us. 

And they came with haste, and found Mary and 
Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. (Exit 
Prologue at L.) 

(Soft chivies are heard. The Shepherds, accom- 
panied by the concealed choir, are heard singing:) 

lead, kindly light 
Lead, kindly Light, amid th' encircling gloom, 

Lead Thou me on! 
The night is dark and I am far from home; 

Lead Thou me on ! 
Keep Thou my feet, I do not ask to see 
The distant scene ; one step enough for me. 

As the Shepherds begin on the second stanza of 
the hymn, the curtains rise disclosing the same scene 
as before. Simeon, Timothy and Isaac discovered 
seated in a group at rear center, singing. Thomas 
stands by his father. 

So long Thy pow'r hath blest me, sure it still 

Will lead me on 
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till 

The night is gone, 
And with the morn those angel faces smile 
Which I have loved long since, and lost a-while. 

25 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Simeon. 

Methought I heard a whir of wings on high. 

Timothy. 

I see naught save the snow and starry sky. 

Isaac. 

We've come a long and mighty step today, 
From o'er the frosty hills and far away. 

Thomas (pointing over the manger). 

Look, father, dost thou see that shining star 
That seems to stand above the town so far? 
'Tis like a wondrous blossom on a stem, 
And see, it ever shines o'er Bethlehem! 

Timothy. 

A brighter star, I'm sure I never saw — 
And perfect form, without a speck or flaw. 

Simeon. 

A stranger star! It never shone before, 
It standeth still above that stable door. 

Enter Anna and Ruth from rear left. Anna 
carries a little lamb. 

Anna (joining the group). 

Look ye, I've found a little lamb new-born. 
Timothy. 

Poor little beastie! Wrap him well and warm. 
Simeon. 

An ill night to be born in, frost and snow, 

Naught but cold skies above, cold earth below. 

I marvel any little creature should be born 

On such a night. 
Anna. 

I found it all forlorn, 

Crying beside its mother in the storm. 

26 



The White Christmas 



Simeon (comes down a little to right front). 

Hark, I thought I heard a sound of mighty 

wings ! 
Listen ! Is it the winter sky that sings ? 
Isaac (with the group at rear center). 

Nay, gran'ther, I heard naught. You're old 

and gray 
And weary with the miles you've walked today. 

Simeon. 

At noon I met a man who tarried in the shade, 

He led a mule, and riding it a maid — 

A maiden with a face I'll ne'er forget, 

A wondrous face, I seem to see it yet 

Lit with an inward shining, as if God 

Had set a lighted lamp within her soul. 

Many have passed all day, but none like these, 

And no face have I ever seen like hers. 

Timothy. 

Belike the man and maid were strangers here, 
And come to Bethlehem at the king's command. 

Ruth (comes down to Simeon and takes his hand). 
Methinks I met that very man and maid — 
A maiden with such wondrous dove-like eyes, 
I saw them near this place, all tired and worn, 
Trudging about the town, seeking an inn. 

Simeon. 

And did they find one? 

Ruth. 

Nay, not so ! 

For every inn was crowded to its doors. 

Hard by Deborah's inn there is a little barn, 

All full of cattle, oxen, cooing doves — 

I showed it to them, and they went therein. 

27 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Thomas {standing at rear L. with Anna). 

Mother, that star! That wondrous, wondrous 

light, (Points up.) 

It turns the night to day, it shines so bright ■ 
I am afraid! It cannot be that any star, 
Only a star, can give so great a light. 
It frightens me. 
Anna. 

All things are strange tonight. 
The very sheep are restless in their fold, 
They watch the star and do not mind the cold. 
Simeon (puts hand to right ear, bends toward right 
and listens). 
Again I heard a singing in the sky! 
Timothy. 

You heard the tinkling bell of some stray sheep, 
The night grows late, come let us all to sleep. 
Simeon. 

Yea, all ye lie down and take your rest, 
I'll keep the watch alone, this night is blest. 
(The others recline at the rear.) 
Anna (comes to Simeon). 

Here, take the little sheep and keep it warm. 
Simeon. (Lies down.) 

Poor little new-born beast, I'll guard from harm. 
Again I marvel that you should be born 
On such a night, poor little lamb forlorn. 
(Simeon walks toward the manger with the sheep 
in his arms. The others sleep.) 

The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want. 
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures : he 
leadeth me beside the still waters. 

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths 
of righteousness for his name's sake. 

28 



The White Christmas 



Yea, though I walk through the valley of the 
shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art 
with me ; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence 
of mine enemies : thou anointest my head with oil ; 
my cup runneth over. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the 
days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the 
Lord for ever. 

(Soft Music.) 
Hark ! There's music in the wind ! And • that 

strange light 
There in the east, it brightens all the night ! 
I seem to hear again the whir of wings, 
Awake, awake ! It is an angel sings ! 
(He arouses the others. They listen wonderingly, 
standing or reclining.) 
Voice (an unseen soprano chants softly). 
Glory to God in the highest! 

Fear not! 
For behold I bring you glad tidings 

Of great joy. 
For unto you is born this day 
In the city of David, a Saviour 
Which is Christ, the Lord. 
And this shall be the sign unto you : 
Ye shall find the heavenly Babe 
Wrapped in swaddling clothes, 

Lying in a manger. 
Glory to God in the highest, 
And on earth peace, 

Good will toward men! 
Timothy. 

'Twas a fine voice, even as ever I heard. 

29 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Anna. 

The hills, as with lightning, shone at his word. 
Simeon. 

He spoke of a Babe here in Bethlehem. 

That betokens yon star! 

Full glad would I be, 

Might I kneel on my knee, 

Some word to say to that Child. 
Timothy. 

See! In the east there breaks the day. 
Anna. 

Let us tarry no longer; away, then, away! 
(Anna goes out at rear, behind the stable, with 
Timothy, Ruth and Thomas.) 
Isaac. 

Come, gran'ther, let us go and see this thing! 
Simeon. 

But first get gifts to take the new-born King! 

Glory to God in the highest, 

And on earth peace, 

Good will toward men. 

{They follow the others out at rear.) 
The curtains fall. 

Scene III: Hymn by the congregation: 

hark! the herald angels sing. 

Hark! The herald angels sing, 
"Glory to the new-born King! 
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, 
God and sinners reconciled." 
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, 
Join the triumph of the skies ; 

30 



The White Christmas 



With th' angelic host proclaim, 
"Christ is born in Bethlehem." 

Christ, by highest Heaven adored; 
Christ, the everlasting Lord; 
Late in time behold Him come, 
Offspring of the favored one. 
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see ; 
Hail th' incarnate Deity: 
Pleased, as man with men to dwell, 
Jesus, our Immanuel. 

Hail ! The Heav'n-born Prince of Peace ! 
Hail ! The Son of Righteousness ! 
Light and life to all He brings, 
Risen with healing in His wings. 
Mild He lays His glory by, 
Born that man no more may die: 
Born to raise the sons of earth, 
Born to give them second birth. 

Enter Prologue before the closed curtains. 
Prologue. 

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea 
in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came 
wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where 
is he that is born King of the Jews? For w r e have 
seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 

When Herod the king had heard these things, he 
was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And 
when he had gathered all the chief priests and 
scribes of the people together, he demanded of them 
where Christ should be born. 

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: 
for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Beth- 

31 



Merry Christmas Plays 



lehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among 
the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a 
Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise 
men, inquired of them diligently what time the star 
appeared. 

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and 
search diligently for the young child; and when ye 
have found him, bring me word again, that I may 
come and worship him also. 

When they had heard the king, they departed; 
and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went 
before them, till it came and stood over where the 
young child was. 

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with ex- 
ceeding great joy. 

And when they were come into the house, they 
saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell 
down, and worshipped him: and when they had 
opened their treasures, they presented unto him 
gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 

The White Christmas. 

As the three wise men rode on that first Christmas 
night to find the manger-cradled Babe of Bethlehem, 
they bore gifts on their saddle-bows. Gifts of gold, 
frankincense and myrrh. And so the spirit of Christ- 
mas giving crept into the world's heart. We bring 
our gifts to the children. Rich children, poor chil- 
dren ! The children of the high and the children of 
the humble ! Poor little sick children — and the 
ragged children of the slums of our cities. Let us 
remember them all. 

So go ye, all of ye, into the highways and byways, 
and seek out the poor and the distressed, the humble 

32 



The White Christmas 



and the afflicted, seek out the ragged children and 
the outcasts and the aged ones, and in the name of 
Him who was born on Christmas day, carry some 
sunshine into their hearts ! Give unto the poor and 
the afflicted, and your hearts shall glow with that 
inward peace that passeth all understanding. 

Then — and then only — will you be able to sing 
with all the company of Heaven, Glory to God in 
the highest, peace on earth, good will toward men ! 
And this will be your pure white Christmas. (Exit 
Prologue at L.) 

Soft chimes are heard. The curtains are drawn, 
disclosing the same scene as before. Deborah sits 
before her inn, deep in thought. 
Deborah (reading a scroll). 

This is the ancient prophecy. Therefore the Lord 
himself shall give you a sign ; behold, a virgin shall 
conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name 
Immanuel. 

Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know 
to refuse the evil and choose the good. 

For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, 
and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest 
shall be forsaken of both her kings. 

Enter Gaspar from behind the inn. He comes 
down center. 

Gaspar. 

I pray thee, tell me, Lady Bethlehemite, 
If any wonders you have seen this night? 

Deborah (rises). 

I've seen a wondrous silver shaft of light 
Come from a star, and blinded is my sight. 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Gaspar. 

Tell me, for thou art native of this place, 
What dost thou know about the King of 

Grace — 
King of the Jews? 

Deborah. 

Aye, in Jerusalem 

He dwells, and not in Bethlehem. 

He sits upon his mighty judgment throne, 

Cruel and stern, his heart a living stone. 

Gaspar. 

I mean a new-born King, of love and peace ; 
His is the star — His reign shall never cease. 

Deborah. 

All things tonight seem passing strange to me, 
I have just read an ancient prophecy 
That this, our Bethlehem, King David's town, 
Shall be the birthplace, e'er of great renown, 
Of one called Councillor of King David's line 
Whose coming is foretold in words divine. 
And now you come with words of mystery! 

(Muses.) 
Why should thy questions, which are dark to me, 
Cause me to think of Him? 

Gaspar. 

The star ! The* star ! 

No more it moves about the heavens afar, 
It standeth still. 0, hostess, kneel and pray, 
For Jesus Christ, the Lord, is born today! 

(Hurries out right.) 

Deborah. 

His words are fraught with mystery ; I'll within 
And seek protection in my humble inn. 

(Exits right front.) 

34 



The White Christmas 



After a short pause, Melchoir, Gaspar and Bal- 
tasar enter from rear right. 
Melchoir. 

Three kings came riding from far away, 

Melchoir, Gaspar and Baltasar; 
Three wise men out of the east were they, 
And they traveled by night and they slept by 
day, 
For their guide was a beautiful, wonderful 
star. 
Baltasar. 

The star was so beautiful, large and clear, 

That all other stars of the sky 
Became a white mist in the atmosphere; 
And by this they knew that the coming was 
near 
Of the Prince foretold in prophecy. 
Gaspar. 

Of the child that is born, O Baltasar, 

I begged a woman to tell us the news; 
I said in the east we had seen His star, 
And had ridden fast and had ridden far 
To find and worship the King of the Jews. 
— Adapted from Longfellow. 
Melchoir. 

Brothers, our quest is ended; see the star 
Is standing still over this lowly hut. 
Baltasar. 

Methinks it is a stable. Knock and see! 
Gaspar (knocks on the door of the manger). 
What ho, within ! 

Joseph enters from the L. rear. 
Joseph. 

Sirs, whom seek ye? 

35 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Melchoir. 

We have journeyed from afar 

Led by the shining of yon splendid star. 

We are Gaspar, Melchoir and Baltasar. 

Baltasar. 

We seek a new-born King, 

Gold, frankincense to him we bring. 

And many a kingly offering. 

Joseph draws back the curtain and reveals the 
interior of the manger. Mary is seen bending over 
the crib. The Shepherds are kneeling in the back- 
ground. Very soft music heard in the distance, with 
faintly chiming bells at intervals. 

Gaspar. 

Behold, the child is clothed in light! 
Melchoir. 

Our journey ends, passed is the night. 
Baltasar. 

Now let us make no more delay, 
But worship Him right worthily. 

{They enter the manger and kneel.) 
Simeon. 

Hail, hail, dear child 

Of a maiden meek and mild. 

See, he merries ! 
See, he smiles, my sweeting, 
I give thee greeting! 

Have a bob of cherries. 
{Places a spray of cherries on the crib.) 
Timothy. 

Hail, little One we've sought, 
See, a bird I've brought, 
See its feathers gay. 

36 






The White Christmas 



Isaac. 



Hail, little One adored, 
Hail, blessed King and Lord, 
Star of the day! 
{Places a bird on the crib.) 



Hail, little One, so dear, 
My heart is full of cheer, 
A little ball I bring, 
Reach forth thy fingers gay, 
And take the ball and play, 
My blessed King. 
{Places a ball on the crib.) 
Enter all others from the Inn. They kneel out- 
side the manger. 
All (sing, with concealed choir). 

CHRISTMAS CAROL. 

(See page 169) 
Christ was born on Christmas day, 
Wreathe the holly, twine the bay, 
Light and life and joy is He — 
The Babe, the Son, 
The Holy One 
Of Mary. 

He is born to set us free; 
He is born our Lord to be; 
Carol, Christians, joyfully; 

The God, the Lord, 

By all adored 
Forever. 

Let the bright red berries glow, 
Everywhere in goodly show, 
Life and light and joy is He, 

37 



Merry Christmas Plays 



The Babe, the Son, 
The Holy One 
Of Mary. 

Christian men, rejoice and sing; 
'Tis the birthday of our King, 
Carol, Christians, joyfully; 

The God, the Lord, 

By all adored 
Forever. 

The Three Kings. 

Hail, King of Kings! 
Gas par.. 

I bring Thee a crown, O King of Kings, 
And here a scepter full of gems, 
For Thou shalt rule the hearts of men. 
{Places crown and scepter on crib.) 
Meechoir. 

For Thee I bring sweet frankincense! 
{He swings a smoking censor.) 
Baetasar. 

And I bring myrrh to offer Thee ! 
{Places casket on the crib.) 
Gaspar. 

The greatest gift is yet ungiven, 
The gift that cometh straight from Heaven. 
O, Heavenly King, 
Heart's love we bring. 
Meechoir. 

Not gold nor gems from land or sea 
Is worth the love we offer Thee. 
Baetasar. 

And lowly folk who have no gold, 
Nor gift to offer that is meet, 

38 



The White Christmas 






May bring the dearest thing of all — 
A loving heart and service sweet. 
(All join in singing "The Hallelujah Chorus") 
Curtain falls. 

THE WHITE CHRISTMAS. 

WHAT IT MEANS. 

How to make a pleasant, helpful Christmas for 
the Sunday School is an annual problem. A tree 
with gifts, Santa Claus coming down the chimney, 
a treat of candy and nuts — these and many other 
schemes have been tried with a greater or less degree 
of success. But the criticism is often made that the 
true significance of the celebration of the birth of 
Christ is lost in the mere idea of bartering Christ- 
mas presents. "She didn't give me anything last 
year, so I'm not going to give her anything this 
year." 

One wise superintendent determined to teach his 
Sunday School pupils the precious lesson of the 
beauty of giving. He called his teachers together 
a few weeks before Christmas and proposed to elimi- 
nate entirely the idea of "getting something," and 
in its stead to try to teach something of the true 
spirit of Christmas, the blessedness of giving. 

The children were told that while at home they 
would receive all the usual presents, of course they 
would not get anything whatever from the Sunday 
School. The story of Jesus and how He gave His 
life, and how He liked best the gifts that cost us 
something, love, thought, foresight, charity, money 
— was told to the children and they were asked to 
save their pennies, instead of spending them for 

39 



Merry Christmas Plays 



candy and nuts, to brighten the Christmas Day for 
God's poor and unfortunate. 

It was put to a vote and every little hand was 
raised, although it may be confessed that a few went 
up a little reluctantly. 

Teachers and young ladies met a few evenings 
later and made little stockings out of cheap cambric, 
with a cord put into the top of each in such a manner 
that it could be drawn together so the pennies would 
not be lost out. The stockings were about five 
inches long, and of various bright colors, and there 
were enough for every child. These were given out 
two weeks before Christmas. 

On Christmas Eve, near the close of the regular 
program, a large tree was disclosed, but without a 
single present on it. The Minister made a short 
talk on the joys of giving to the poor and the chil- 
dren marched up, singing a Christmas carol, and 
attached their little stocking-bags to the tree. 

Six little boys and girls passed among the con- 
gregation with larger stockings, collecting donations 
for the tree. These stockings had their tops neatly 
sewed around little circles of wire to keep them open. 

The program consisted of Christmas hymns and 
carols, interspersed with recitations — all breathing 
the spirit of the White Christmas. 

REMARKS ON THE PRODUCTION. 

SCENERY. 

Hang the rear and the sides of the stage with 
dark blue curtains, spangled with small silver bits 
of tinfoil, to represent very tiny stars. If the blue 
curtains are not available, use white sheets. 

Cover the floor with white sheets. Have two or 

40 



The White Christmas 




three small evergreen trees at rear, covered with 
white calcimine and diamond powder. Soak long 
rags, shaped like icicles, in a strong solution of 
alum, and then let them crystallize, then attach them 
to the trees. 

Down right, near the audience, is a doorway, sup- 
posed to be the entrance to the inn. This may be 
simply an opening between two wooden columns, with 
a step or two leading in. A lantern hangs over the 
door. A small bench stands by the inn. 

Down left, near the audience, is the manger, a 
building extending out from left about seven feet. 
It has a back and one side of scenery or dark draper- 
ies and a thatched roof, covered with twigs or ever- 
green branches. There may be a door leading into 
the manger from the stage, but this is not necessary, 
as the characters can go out behind the manger. A 
front curtain, of dark goods, conceals the interior 

41 



Merry Christmas Plays 



of the manger from the audience until it is with- 
drawn by Joseph. 

The interior of the manger is covered with hay. 
Rude boxes and farm implements all around. A large 
upturned chair with wooden legs may simulate the 
crib, if it is concealed by enough straw. An electric 
light bulb is concealed in this straw and shines on 
the face of Mary, bending over the crib. 

If desired, the manger scene may be presented in 
the choir loft, the manger hidden by curtains until 
revealed by Joseph. In this case have the evergreen 
trees at the left of the stage and arrange the manger 
scene at the rear and elevated above the other scene. 
This will prove most feasible in churches where the 
choir loft is immediately behind and above the plat- 
form. 

LIGHTS. 

Dim all the lights in the audience. Have a pow- 
erful searchlight, engine headlight or two powerful 
auto lights shining on the stage from a concealed 
elevation at the left. Shade these lights with a blue 
isinglass shield, thus casting a blue light over the 
entire stage. Use a strong yellow light on the 
manger scene, the rest of the stage being in darkness. 

PROPERTIES. 

If it is possible have bits of white confetti or finely 
cut paper fall from above during the shepherds' 
scene in Act II. 

The bases of the trees should be covered with cotton. 

Three rough crooks for the shepherds. 

Chimes to ring off the stage. A dinner gong or set 
of chimes will answer. 



The White Christmas 



For the lamb use a white muff, being careful to shield 
it from the direct gaze of the audience. 

A spray of cherries. 

A small bird of blue feathers. 

A ball. 

A crown and scepter made of gilded wood. 

A censor made of metallic butter dish suspended by 
chains. 

A fancy jewel case, supposed to contain myrrh. 

Bench in front of inn. 

Rude box in front of manger. 

COSTUMES. 

Mary — A sweet-faced blonde. Long tunic of light 
blue, falling straight from neck to the ankles. 
White stockings. Sandals. Hair in two long braids 
either side of face. White veil draped around head 
and shoulders, bound about the brow with circlet. 
Dark red mantle, fastened to left shoulder and 
draped around body. This mantle may trail on the 
ground. The tunic may be made of cotton crepon, 
the mantle of dyed muslin. 

Joseph — A virile, bearded man of about fifty. 
Sandals. Long black cassock, easily obtained from 
an Episcopal choir. Striped couch cover may serve 
as mantle. This should be draped about head and 
body. Long staff. 

Simeon — An old man with white hair and beard. 
Tunic of potato sacking falling in straight folds 
from neck to ankles. Large gray shawl serves as 
mantle, draped on head and body. Long crook. 
Sandals. 

Timothy — Man of forty. Costume similar to 
Isaac's. Striped mantle. 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Isaac — Man of twenty. Shorter tunic similar to 
Simeon's. Fur rug draped over left shoulder. Dark 
red drapery on head. Sandals. Brown stripes criss- 
crossed on legs. Crook. 

Anna — Long tunic of brown. Take a square 
white sheet and stripe it with bands of dark blue. 
This serves as a mantle, draped over head and body. 
Hair hanging. A woman of thirty-five. Sandals. 
If desired, a blue veil may be draped around the 
head and neck and the mantle draped over the body. 

Thomas — A boy of seven. Sandals. Brown strips 
criss-crossed on legs from sandals to hips. Short 
white tunic cut like a boy's nightgown, but coming 
only to knees. Dark blue mantle. Small crook. 

Ruth — A girl of eleven. Blue tunic hanging in 
straight folds from neck to three or four inches 
above ankles. Border of figured goods, to simulate 
oriental embroidery, around bottom of robe and 
down the front. This should be about two inches 
wide. Sandals. White stockings. Hair hanging. 
White veil draped around head and shoulders. Later 
she enters with striped mantle. 

Deborah — A dignified matron of about forty-five. 
Sandals. Long kimono of solid color. Sash of yel- 
low. Hair in two long braids on either side of face. 
Yellow drapery over head and shoulders. Rich 
striped mantle draped over the costume. 

Rachel — Sandals. White tunic trimmed with red 
figured cloth to simulate oriental embroidery. Red 
sash. Wreath of red roses on head. Mantle made 
of a square white sheet with stripes of red sewed on 
it. Bracelets, armlets and anklets of silver paper. 

Priscilla — Sandals. Light green tunic. Dark 
green mantle. Gold paper armlets, etc. 

44 



The White Christmas 



Melchoir — Tall, dark man with dark mustache. 
Long black cassock may be borrowed from an Epis- 
copal Church. Over this is a red or yellow kimono. 
Sandals. Turban on head. This turban may be 
made from a calico covered crown of an old derby, 
with red and white striped rim. He wears many rich 
ornaments. Curtain chains around neck and on 
arms. This costume may sometimes be borrowed 
from a lodge of Shriners, Knights Templar, Royal 
Arch Masons or Odd Fellows. 

Gaspar — Similar to Melchoir. He is a young king 
aged about twenty-two. Wear white drapery on 
head and over it a golden (paper) crown. May 
wear sword. Sandals. 

Baltasar — Old king with white hair. Long rich 
robe or kimono over a cassock. Red sash. Red head 
drapery. Golden crown. Sandals. 

Angees — Invisible to the audience. 

Proeogue — Stately lady in trailing Grecian robe 
of white. Hair powdered. This character should 
be played by a lady with distinct dramatic ability. 

Note. — If it is desired to simplify these costumes, 
kimonos, cassocks and cottas from Episcopal choirs, 
draperies of sheets and couch covers, and sandals 
made of a sole bound to foot with brown cloth cords, 
will answer admirably in the dim blue light. 

Nightgowns, dressing gowns, fur rugs, fur muffs 
opened, fur stoles, opera capes, spangled tunics, 
window cords and chains, etc., will make valuable 
substitutes for the oriental garments. 



45 



ANITA'S SECRET OR CHRISTMAS 
IN THE STEERAGE 



ANITA'S SECRET OR CHRISTMAS 
IN THE STEERAGE 

A CHRISTMAS PLAY IN ONE ACT FOR SANTA CLAUS AND 
SIXTEEN CHILDREN. 

CHARACTERS. 

Santa Claus Adult 

Jolly Jack Frost Little Boy 

Anita, a Little Italian Immigrant 

Aged Eight or Nine 

Hulda, from Holland Aged Ten 

Sergius, from Russia Aged Nine 

Meeny, from Germany Aged Seven 

Biddy Mary, from Ireland Aged about Eight 

Paddy Mike, from Ireland Aged about Seven 

Tomasso, from Italy Aged about Nine 

Klinker | Little Dutch Twins 

Schwillie Willie Winkitm j Aged Four or Five 

Neelda, from Spain Aged Five 

Ah Goo, from China Little Boy 

Yakob, from Denmark Aged Six 

Hans, from Norway Aged Four 

Mieze, from Germany Aged Six 

Sano San, from Japan Little Girl 



Time of Playing — About One Hour and Fifteen 
Minutes. 

COSTUMES, ETC. 

For notes on costuming, scenery and properties, 
see "Remarks on the Production of the Play" at the 
end of the play. 

49 



Merry Christmas Plays 



ARGUMENT. 

It is the night before Christmas and the scene is 
on a big ocean-going vessel many miles out at sea. 
Down in the lower part of the ship, in the steerage, 
is a group of poor little immigrant children who are 
leaving the trials and troubles of the old world be- 
hind them and are looking forward to the golden 
promises held out by our own "land of the free and 
the home of the brave." But the hearts of the little 
immigrants are sad. It is the night before Christ- 
mas, and how could Santa Claus ever hope to reach 
them away out in the middle of the ocean? Even the 
sleigh and the magical reindeers could never be ex- 
pected to make such a trip. 

Anita, a little Italian girl, alone has faith in the 
coming of the good Saint. She is wandering around 
the ship when all of a sudden, much to her surprise, 
she hears a mysterious noise in a great big barrel, 
and who should jump out but little Jack Frost him- 
self. Jack assures her that Santa Claus really is 
coming to visit the ship, and more than that, he is 
going to make an especial trip in an air ship ! And 
this is little Anita's secret. The children all fall 
asleep, but Anita keeps watch for the mysterious 
aeroplane that will bring joy to every little heart 
in the steerage, and, sure enough, just a little before 
midnight Anita and Jack Frost look through a tele- 
scope and see the lights of the approaching air ship. 

Soon Santa Claus himself is on board, and such 
a time as he and Anita and jolly Jack Frost have 
in arranging a wonderful Christmas surprise for the 
children. As an especial favor the good Saint de- 
cides to awaken the children himself very early on 
Christmas morning. The clock strikes twelve and it 

50 



Anita's Secret 



is Christmas Day. The bells- of merry Christmas 
are heard chiming in the distance, and Santa Claus 
and jolly Jack Frost hold a Christmas morning revel 
with the little immigrant children away down in the 
steerage of the big vessel. 



Scene : The steerage of a large ocean-going ves- 
sel. Entrances R. and L. Boxes and barrels down 
L. Box down R. Large barrel up L. C., with Joi/ly 
Jack Frost concealed therein. Hulda is seated on 
a small stool down R., taking care of Keinker and 
Schwieeie Wieeie Winkum, who are standing near 
her. Meeny is seated down L. on a box; she is knit- 
ting a woolen stocking. Sergitjs, Paddy Mike, 
Tomasso, Yakob and Ah Goo are playing leapfrog 
at C. of stage. Hans, Mieze, Neeeda and Sano 
San stand at rear. Biddy Mary is seated near 
Hulda; she is peeling potatoes. All sing. 

OPENING SONG. 



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Si^SH 



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1. The ship is sail-ing ver - y fast, We can't go out to play ; 

2. We're sail-ing to A - mer - i - ca, So far a-cross the sea, 

3. We're hap-py lit - tie f or-eign-ers, From far a-cross the way, 



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But Christmas Day is com-ing soon, It is - n't far a - way. 
We're hap-py lit - tie im-mi-grants, Our hearts are light and free. 
But soon we will be cit - i - zens Of dear old U. S. A. 



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51 



Merry Christmas Plays 



OPENING SONG— Concluded. 



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Then clap, clap, clap to - geth-er, Clap, clap, a - way; 



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The steer-age is a hap-py place — Tomorrow's Christmas Day. 



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(Ow the words "clap, clap, clap together," the chil- 
dren hold left hand horizontally in front of their 
chests, palm upward, raising the tight hand and 
bringing it down on the left with a sharp clap. 

Sing the first verse seated around stage. On the 
first four lines of the second verse nod heads and 
smile at audience. On the line "We're happy little 
immigrants," each one points to chest, nods head 
and smiles broadly. 

For the third verse all rise and stand in couples 
in small groups all around stage. On the first two 
lines of the third verse each one faces his partner 
slightly, nods at him and shakes index finger of right 
hand at partner. On "dear, old U. S. A." all make 
a deep bow to audience. After third verse is com- 
pleted, all form a circle and skip around in time to 
the music, repeating the third verse. On "clap, clap, 

52 



/ 



Anita's Secret 



clap together" they stand still and clap hands as 
before. When the song is ended all resume former 
positions, as at the rise of the curtain, but the boys 
do not play leapfrog.) 

Tomasso {seated on floor at C). Tomorrow 
comes the great, grand festival of Christmas, is it 
not, Paddy Mike? 

Paddy Mike {seated near him, nods his head). 
Sure and it is. This is the holy Christmas Eve. 

Meeny {seated down L., knitting stocking). The 
night of the day behind Christmas is always Christ- 
mas Eve, ain't it? {Nods head.) Sure it is. 

Schwillie. Und tomorrow we gets lots of Christ- 
mas presents always, me und Klinker ; don't we, 
Klinker? 

Klinkerj Sure we do. Leedle horses and pic- 
tures und candy und other things also ; don't we, 
Schwillie Willie Winkum? 

Hitlda. That was when we were at home in Hol- 
land. It's different, maybe, out here in this great 
big boat. Yen we get by the city of New York next 
week then maybe we'll get some presents already. 

Klinker. But good Saint Nicholas always comes 
the night before Christmas ; don't he, Schwillie Wil- 
lie Winkum? 

Schwillie. Sure. Won't he come tonight, 
Hulda? 

Hitlda. How could he get way out here on the 
ocean already? Do you think he is a fish? We ain't 
living at home in Holland no more. We're way out 
on the Atlantic Ocean in a great big ship. 

Meeny. Ja, und I wish I was back at home al- 
ready. So much have I been seasick, mit der ship 

53 



Merry Christmas Plays 



going oop und down, oop und down! Ach, it's aw- 
ful. (Sergius, Tomasso, Yakob, Paddy Mike and 
Ah Goo play jack-stones.) 

Keinker. But Saint Nicholas ought to come to- 
night, Hulda. I been a awfully good boy, isn't I, 
Schwillie Willie Winkum? 

Schweleie. Sure you is. Und I've been a aw- 
fully good boy, too. Isn't I, Klinker? 

Keinker. Sure. We've been awfully good boys. 

Hueda. Maybe even if Saint Nicholas don't come 
tonight, you can see the great, big whale tomorrow. 
If he's a good whale he'll surely let the leedle Dutch 
twins see him on Christmas Day. 

Meeny. Oh, I vant to see der whale. I've looked 
und I've looked und I've looked, but I ain't even so 
much as seen his leedle tail yet already. Und it makes 
me seasick to look so much, too. 

Biddy Mary. Are ye sure it was a whale ye saw 
that day, Sergius boy? 

Sergius. Of course I'm sure. It was awful big. 
The biggest fish I ever saw. Even in Russia we do 
not have such big fish as whales. Paddy Mike saw 
it, too. 

Paddy Mike. Sure and I did. And me two eyes 
nearly fell out of me head with lookin' at it, it was 
that wonderful. He shot a big stream of water 
right up out of his head, he did, and then he dived 
down in the ocean again, and we didn't see him any 
more at all, at all. (Mieze and Sano San turn backs 
to audience and look over the railing into the water.) 

Hulda {to the twins). There! Now if you get 
to see the great big whale, that's almost as good as 
having old Saint Nicholas come, ain't it? 

54 



Anita's Secret 



Schwillie. Whales can't bring you no Christ- 
mas presents, can they, Klinker? 

Klinker. Und whales you can see any time. I'd 
rather have Saint Nicholas, wouldn't I, Schwillie 
Willie Winkum? 

Sergius. Who is this Saint Nicholas they are 
looking for, Hulda? 

Hulda (astonished). Why, don't you know who 
he is yet ? He's the best old man that ever was. Und 
he comes the night before Christmas und visits all the 
little children in Holland. 

Meeny (proudly). Und in Germany, too. (Ser- 
gius goes to Hulda.) 

Klinker. Und if they're good they get candy 
und oranges und toys und things, don't they, Schwil- 
lie Willie Winkum? 

Schwillie. Und if they're bad, they get a good 
big birch stick. But I ain't been bad. I've been 
awfully good, isn't I, Klinker? 

Klinker. Sure. Und me also. 

Hulda (to Sergius). On Christmas Eve in Hol- 
land all the children march around the streets, fol- 
lowing one who carries a big silver star. And the 
people who meet us give us money and gifts to help 
the poor. Oh, Christmas time is just grand in Hol- 
land! 

Klinker. Und we set out our leedle wooden shoes 
und old Saint Nicholas fills 'em with candy. 

Schwillie. Und we put a leedle bit of hay in 
our shoes for his good old horsie, Sleipner. Dot 
makes him happy. 

Meeny. In Germany we call him Santa Claus, 
und. he comes riding in a sleigh drawn through the 
sky mit reindeers. Und we have Christmas trees all 

55 



Merry Christmas Plays 



lighted mit candles und things, und full of toys und 
paper stars und angels und apples. But Santa Claus 
could never get out here in der middle of der ocean. 
If he did maybe he'd get seasick already, und all der 
reindeers would get drownded in der water. 

Sergius {standing R. C). In Russia there is an 
old woman named Babouska who visits all the chil- 
dren on the night before Christmas. She carries a 
big basket full of good things. 

Tomasso (seated on floor at C). In sunny Italy 
the children all go to midnight church on Christmas 
Eve, and when we make ourselves awake on Christ- 
mas morning, our shoes are all full of candy and 
chestnuts and figs and oranges. But of course on a 
big ship like-a this we'll not get-a nothing at all. 

Klixker (crying). But I want some presents al- 
ready. 

Schwillie (crying). Und me also. I want some 
presents, too. 

Klixker. Und Saint Nicholas can't come. Oh, 
oh! He can't get out on the big ocean. 

Schwillie. Maybe he could float out on a piece 
of ice yet. Could he, Hulda? 

Hulda. No. I don't think he's much of a floater. 

Meexy. If he did it would make him awful sea- 
sick. 

Klixker. I wish we was landed in New York 
3~et, so I do. 

Schwillie. Where is Anita? She'll know. 

Hulda. Yes, Anita will know whether he is com- 
ing or not. She knows almost everything. 

Paddy Mike (standing at rear L.). Here comes 
Anita now, and sure she's having a grand time, so 
she is. 

56 



Anita's Secret 



All (rising and going to rear, looking off L.). 
Here she comes. Hurrah for Anita. (Music: The 
same as for the Opening Song.) 

Tomasso (calling). Anita, Anita, come here quick. 
We want you. 

Anita (outside L.). I'm coming. Wait a minute. 
I'm coming. 

Music swells louder. Anita dances in from L., 
all sing as she dances around, waving her tam- 
bourine. 

All (singing to tune of the "Opening Song"). 

We're sailing to America, 

Away across the sea, 
We're happy little immigrants, 

Our hearts are light and free. 

Then clap, clap, clap together, 

_. . (All skip around.) 

Clap, clap away; 

The steerage is a happy place — 

Tomorrow's Christmas Day. 

Anita (comes forward to C. surrounded by the 
others). Oh, I've just had the grandest time. It 
was so superb, magnificent, sublime! (Extends arms 
in ecstasy.) I have-a been at the leetla window 
watching the great, grand, magnificent ocean. It 
was all so blue and so green and so purple — and the 
sinking sun is all shining on the great-a, beeg waves, 
like-a sparkling diamonds. (Use elaborate gestures 
at all times.) And me, the poor, leetla Italian girl, 
gets to see all this great-a, grand-a ocean. It is 
superb, magnificent, sublime! Ah, I am so happy, I 
could sing and dance and kees everybody on the 
great-a, grand-a earth! 

m 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Meeny {at L.). Vot makes you so happy, Anita? 
Maybe I'd be happy yet also, if I didn't get seasick 
once in a while. 

Anita. What makes me so happy, Meeny? It's 
the sun and the waves, and the sunlight shining like 
diamonds on the great-a, grand-a ocean. Are you 
not also happy, Biddy Mary? 

Biddy Mary {standing by Anita). I am not. 
Sure, I niver do be having time to be seeing dia- 
monds on the great big waves. I have to be hard at 
work, so I do, peeling the praties for our Christmas 
breakfast. 

Anita. I watched the great-a red sun as he be- 
gan to sink, sink, sink way down in the ocean. And 
the beeg-a waves got more beeg and more beeg and 
on top of them I saw long white lace fringe. The 
green silk waves were all-a trimmed with white lace 
fringe. And sometimes I think I see the leetla mer- 
maid fairies dancing in the foam. Leetla green and 
white mermaids with the long long-a hair. 

Tomasso {at R.). You make-a me seek, Anita. 
There is-a no such things as fairies. 

Anita. But I love to think there is. It is a great, 
grand-a pleasure just to think there is. Is it not, 
Meeny ? 

Meeny {stolidly). Oh, sure. 

Anita. And that is why we should all be so verra, 
verra happy. We can think such-a lovely things. 
The poor leetla children at-a home, pouf ! They can- 
not think such things, because they have never seen 
such a great, beeg-a ship, or such a great, beeg-a 
ocean — 

Sergius. Or a whale. 

Paddy Mike. Or a sailor man. 



58 



— — * - y ' 



■>-—- 



Anita's Secret 



Hulda. Or a nice little steerage bed built just 
like a shelf in the wall. 

Tomasso. Or the great beeg-a engine that makes 
the ship go. 

Meeny. Or the tons and tons of coal vay down 
deep by the cellar. 

Sergius (mocking her). Way down deep by the 
cellar ! Whoever heard of a cellar on board of a 
ship? You mean — down in the hatch. 

Meeny. Hatch? Vot is dot hatch? Dis ain't a 
chicken, it's a boat. (All laugh.) 

Klinker (takes Schwillie by the hand and goes 
to Anita). Anita, we want to ask you a question. 

Anita. Well, and what is the question of the 
leetla Dutch twins? 

Schwillie. Tonight is the night before Christ- 
mas. 

Klinker. Und we want to know if the good Saint 
Nicholas is coming tonight. 

Anita. I don't know. You see it would be a 
great beeg-a, long-a trip way out here on the ocean. 

Klinker (half crying). But I want him to come. 
I've been a awful good boy, isn't I, Schwillie Willie 
Winkum ? 
X Schwillie. Sure, you is. Und me also, ain't I, 
Klinker? 

Anita. If you have both been verra, verra good 
I think that maybe the good Saint will come. (Looks 
around.) Have you all been verra, verra good? 

Others. Yes, all of us. 

Hans. We're always very, very good at Christ- 
mas time. 

Ah Goo. Me velly, velly good. 

Anita (points off R.). See, way up there on the 

59 



Merry Christmas Peay^ 



upper deck, are the rich, grand-a ladies and gentle- 
men coming out from the great, beeg-a dining-room. 
If you go and stand under the hole maybe they'll 
throw you some oranges or candy. They're awful 
nice peoples on the upper deck. 

Meeny. Let's all go right away quick. Maybe 
we'll get some oranges und candy. 

Klinker. Oh, how I do love oranges und candy, 
don't I, Schwillie Willie Winkum? 

Schwillie. Sure, und me also, don't I, Klinker? 

Sergius. Let us all go together. (All come for- 
ward and sing to tune of the Opening Song.) 

We're happy little immigrants, 

We'll sing our happy song, 
Our hearts are light, our faces bright — 

The good ship speeds along. 
Then clap, clap, clap together, 

Clap, clap away; 
The steerage is a happy place — 

Tomorrow's Christmas Day. 

(All the children except Anita go out at R., re- 
peating the chorus of their song.) 

Anita. Surely the good-a Saint Nicholas will 
come tonight, because there are so many, many verra 
good children on board this-a ship. (Counting on 
fingers.) There's Hulda from Holland and her two 
leetla brothers, the Dutch twins, Klinker and Schwil- 
lie Willie Winkum. They must have a great-a beeg-a 
Christmas present. And there's Sergius from Rus- 
sia, and Meeny and Paddy Mike and Biddy Mary, 
and Neelda from Spain, and Yakob and Hans and 
Ah Goo and Mieze and leetla Sano San from afar 
away Japan. They must all have the great-a, 

60 



Anita's Secret 



grand-a presents. Maj^be I could write old Santa 
Claus a leetla letter and tell how good the poor chil- 
dren way down in the steerage have been. And 
there's my cousin Tomasso from Italy. Oh, Santa 
Claus must bring him a new violin. Then he can 
make-a the beautiful music on the golden streets of 
New York. If there is anybody at all in the whole 
beeg world who should have a nice-a, beeg-a Christ- 
mas, it is the verra poor leetla children whose 
mammas and papas haven't got very much meney. 
But sometimes the good Santa Claus forgets all about 
the verra poor leetla children — and that's the most- 
est saddest thing of all, for they are the verra ones 
he should remember. When I get to be a great-a, 
beeg, grand-a, reech lady in the golden streets of 
New York, ah! then I will buy presents and presents 
and presents, and I will-a give them to all the verra 
poor leetla children in the world. I wonder why it 
is that the verra good Santa Claus sometimes for- 
gets the poor leetla children on-a Christmas Day. 
He never forgets the reech leetla children, only those 
who are verra, verra poor. And that is a sad mis- 
fortune. If I had-a nice-a Christmas present, with 
many candies and figs and oranges, I could never 
rest until I had given something nice to all the poor 
leetla children in the city — for that is what makes 
the mostest happy Christmas of all. 

Enter Sergius from R. quietly. He comes down 
behind Anita and places his hands over her eyes. 

Sergius. Guess who it is. 
Anita. Sergius ! 

Sergius (disappointed). Why, I thought that 
you would think it was a goblin. 

61 



Merry Christmas Play* 



Anita. Goblin? What is a goblin, Sergius? 

Sergius. It's a little, wee bit of a man with a 
long beard. And they go around having a good 
time at night. They are always very active on the 
night before Christmas. {Looks cautiously around.) 
I shouldn't be at all surprised if we should see some 
tonight. 

Anita {frightened). Oh, Sergius, will they harm 
us? 

Se*rgius. Not very much. They just like to have 
a little fun, that's all. We have lots of them in 
Russia. And I believe there are some down here in 
the steerage. 

Anita {grasps his arm). Oh, Sergius! Where are 
they? 

Sergitts. Well, last night I could not sleep, so I 
got up and came in here, and just as I was passing 
by that barrel {points to barrel up L. C. where 
Jack Frost is concealed), I thought I heard a noise. 
It was like some one rapping on the barrel. Like 
this. {Raps on another barrel.) I thought it was a 
goblin and I never stopped running until I was safe 
in my bunk with the bedclothes around my head. 

Anita. Pooh! I'm not afraid. No leetla goblin 
man can make-a me afraid. 

Sergius. They do wonderful things on Christ- 
mas Eve. But come; let us go to the bottom of the 
stairs. The ladies and gentlemen are looking down 
and Tomasso is playing his violin. Soon they will 
throw apples and oranges down to us, and perhaps 
money. Come and see. 

Anita. No, I'd rather wait here. 

Sergius {crossing to door at R.). All right, but 
don't let the goblin man catch you. {Exits at R.) 

62 



Anita's Secret 



Anita. The goblin man! Poof! There is no such 
thing as a goblin man. In-a Italy we do not have 
such goblin mans. He said he heard something rap, 
rap on the inside of the barrel. Poof ! Sergius must 
have been having one beeg, grand-a dream. Never 
in all my life did I ever hear anything go rap, rap 
on the inside of a barrel. {Stands close to Jack 
Frost's barrel.) And if I did, I'd think it was a 
leetla, weeny-teeny mouse. But a leetla, Aveeny- 
teeny mouse never could go rap, rap on the inside 
of a barrel, try as hard as he could. It must have 
been a dream. 

Jack Frost {raps sharply on the inside of the 
barrel). 

Anita. Oh, what was that? I thought I heard 
something. {Goes toward barrel cautiously.) Maybe 
it is the leetla, teeny-weeny baby mouse. {Rises on 
tiptoes to peer into the barrel.) I'll just peek in and 
see. {Just as she looks into the barreV^&ACK Frost 
pops up his head almost in her very face.) 

Jack Frost. Hello ! 

Anita {starting back, very much frightened). 
Oh! 

Jack Frost. Did you say oh, or hello? 

Anita. I just said, oh. 

Jack Fost. Well, then, hello. {Climbs out of 
the barrel.) 

Anita. Hello. 

Jack Frost {goes to her). You aren't fright- 
ened, are you? 

Anita {at R.). Well, I'm a leetla frightened, but 
not verra much. 

Jack Frost. Why? I won't hurt you. 

Anita. , You came up so sudden. I never expected 

63 



Merry Christmas Plays 



to find a boy in that barrel. And you are such a 
queer looking boy. 

Jack Frost. Boy? I'm not a boy. 
x Anita. You're not? You look like a boy. You're 
not a girl, are you? 

Jack Frost (indignantly). Well, I should say 
not! I'm just a kind of a sort of a kind of an idea, 
that's all. I'm your imagination. 

Anita. I hope you're not a goblin. 

Jack Frost. Oh, no. I'm not a goblin. They're 
old and have long beards. I'm not old at all. (Twirls 
around on toes.) See, I'm even younger that you 
are. (Makes low bow.) I'm a pixie. 

Anita. And what is a pixie? 

Jack Frost. I told you before, it's just your 
imagination. 

Anita. You look like a boy. What is your name? 

Jack Frost. My name is Claus. 

Anita. Claus ! Why, what a funny leetla name. 
I never heard a name like that in Italy. Claus what? 

Jack Frost. Santa Claus. Haven't you ever 
heard of Santa Claus? 

Anita. Oh, yes; many, many times. But you 
can't be Santa Claus. 

Jack Frost (indignantly). I'd like to know why 
I can't! It's my name, isn't it? 

Anita. But you are not the real, real truly Santa 
Claus. He is an old, old man. A leetla fat old man 
with white-a hair just like-a the snow, and a long, 
white-a beard. 

Jack Frost. Ho, you must be thinking of my 
daddy. 

Anita. Your daddy? Is Santa Claus your daddy? 

Jack Frost. Sure, he is. I'm Jack Frost Santa 

64 



Anita's Secret 



Claus, Jr. Most folks call me Jolly Jack Frost. 
The little fat man with the white beard is my father. 

Anita (astonished). Why, I didn't know Santa 
Claus had any leetla boys. 

Jack Frost. Sure, he has. Who do you think 
takes care of the reindeer, and who waters the doll- 
tree and picks the dolls? 

Anita. Picks the dolls? Do the dolls grow on 
trees ? 

Jack Frost. Yes, indeed, right next door to the 
taffy cottage, down Chocolate Lane. I take care of 
the marble bushes and the popgun trees. You just 
ought to see our wonderful gardens. 

Anita. Oh, I'd love to see them. 

Jack Frost. We've got a Teddy-bear garden, 
and a tool garden, and a furniture garden, and a 
game garden, and a candy garden, though most of 
the candy comes from mines. 

Anita. The mines? 

Jack Frost. Sure. We dig out just the kind 
we want. We have caramel mines, and vanilla mines 
and mines full of chocolate almonds, and rivers of 
fig paste and strawberry ice cream soda. They flow 
right through the picture-book garden. 

Anita. Oh, it must be the most wonderful place 
in the whole world. 

Jack Frost. And I help take care of it. I have 
fourteen little brothers, and we're all twins. 

Anita. And have you a mother, too? Has Santa 
Claus a nice-a, fine-a wife? 

Jack Frost (laughs). Of course he's got a wife. 
Haven't you ever heard of my mother. Her name 
is Mary. 

Anita. Mary? Mary what? 

65 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Jack Frost. Why, Merry Mary Christmas, of 
course. I thought everyone knew that. 

Anita. And does she go round the world with 
Santa Claus on the night before Christmas? 

Jack Frost. Oh, no, she's too busy for that. 
She stays at home and takes care of the gardens. 

Anita. But what are you doing here on the ship? 
I should think you'd be with your father. 

Jack Frost. Ah, that is a secret. You mustn't 
tell anyone. 

Anita. How can I tell anyone when I don't know 
myself. 

Jack Frost. Well, maybe I'll tell you. 

Anita. Oh, if you only would. I'd just love to 
have a great-a, beeg, grand-a secret. 

Jack Frost. You can keep a secret, can't you? 

Anita. Of course I can. Girls can always keep 
secrets. 

Jack Frost. Some girls can't. But I believe you 
really can. Your name's Anita, isn't it? 

Anita. Yes. But how did you know? 

Jack Frost. Oh, we know everything. How old 
are you? 

Anita. If you tell me how you knew my name, 
I'll tell you how old I am. 

Jack Frost. Well, I just guessed it. 

Anita. Then why don't you guess how old I am? 

Jack Frost. Cute, ain't you? 

Anita. Not so verra cute. I'm going on nine. 

Jack Frost. Then you're old enough to keep the 
secret. Now, first you must promise you won't tell 
until tomorrow morning. 

Anita. Cross my heart. (She does so.) 

66 



Anita's Secret 



Jack Frost (crosses to her). Listen, then ; here's 
the secret. (He whispers in her ear.) 

Anita (after a pause, while he is whispering). He 
is? He is? Oh!! 

Jack Frost (nods his head wisely). Yes, he is. 

Anita. Honest ? 

Jack Frost. Honest injun ! 

Anita. With his pack and presents and a Christ- 
mas tree and everything? 

Jack Frost (nods head emphatically). Yes, 
ma'am, every single thing. 

Anita. Tonight ? 

Jack Frost. Just before the clock strikes twelve, 
when all the little children in the steerage are asleep. 

Anita. But how will he get out here in the mid- 
dle of the ocean? 

Jack Frost. Fly. 

Anita. Fly? But he hasn't any wings. (Jack 
nods.) He has? (Jack nods.) Really and truly 



w 



angs 



Jack Frost (nods). Really and truly wings. 

Anita. I never knew Santa Claus had wings 
before. 

Jack Frost. He only bought them this year. 

Anita. Bought them? (Jack nods.) Then they 
didn't grow on him? 

Jack Frost (laughs). Of course not. He's com- 
ing in an air ship. 

Anita. Why, I never knew Santa Claus had an 
air ship. 

Jack Frost. He's got the very latest twentieth 
century model. He only uses the reindeer once in 
a while now. He can go much. faster on an air ship. 
(Sits down.) Oh, I'm tired. 

67 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Anita. I didn't know pixies ever got tired. 

Jack Frost. You ought to see the work I've 
done today. 

Anita. Here on the boat? 

Jack Frost. Yes, ma'am, right here on the boat. 

Anita. Oh, show me. 

Jack Frost. I will. But it's part of the secret. 
(Goes to rear L.) Come here and I'll show you what 
I've been doing. 

Anita (goes to him). It isn't anything scary, 
is it? 

Jack Frost. Of course not. (Lets her peep 
through the curtain that conceals the Christmas tree 
from the audience.) There; what do you think of 
that? 

Anita. Oh, oh ! oh ! ! It's too great and grand 
and wonderful for words. Oh, what a wonderful, 
wonderful secret! I'm so glad you've told me. It is 
so much nicer to know all about it beforehand. I 
wish I could tell Tomasso. 

Jack Frost. Well, you can't. It's a secret and 
you mustn't tell anybody. 

Anita. But are you really, truly sure he's 
coming? 

Jack Frost. Of course he is. That is our secret. 

Anita. Oh, it's the grandest secret I ever had in 
all-a my life. I will not tell a soul that he is-a com- 
ing. It will be a Christmas surprise, and when I get 
to the beeg city of New York in America, I'll always 
remember this great-a beeg, nice-a secret about old 
Santa Claus and his nice leetla boy, Jack Frost. 

Jack Frost. What are you going to do when 
you get to America? 

Anita. I am going to dance. My uncle, Pedro 



Anita's Secret 



Spanilli, he haba de grind-organ. Until last-a month 
he had-a de nice-a monkey, named Mr. Jocko, but 
last-a month Mr. Jocko he die, and my uncle, Pedro 
Spanilli, he send for me to take-a his place. 

Jack Frost. Take the monkey's place? 

Anita. Yes, sir. I'm going to go round with 
my uncle and hold out my tambourine, so! (Poses 
and holds out tambourine.) And then I will-a collect 
the pennies, just like-a Mr. Jocko used to do. 

Jack Frost (mocking her). I suppose you are 
going to wear a leetla red cap and jump up and 
down this way (imitates a monkey), and say, "Give-a 
de monk de cent!" 

Anita (laughing). Oh, no. I'm going to sing 
the leetla song, and dance the leetla dance, so ! (Hums 
and dances, or a song may be introduced at this point 
by Anita.) Then, when I'm finished, I go to the 
kind leetla boy, Jack Frost, and hold out my tam- 
bourine, so ! (Does so.) And maybe he drops a nickel 
in my tambourine. Eh? Does he? 

Jack Frost (sighs, then drops a nickel in tam- 
bourine). Yes, I guess he does. And you just wait 
till tomorrow morning, Anita, and I'll give you the 
finest Christmas present on the Atlantic Ocean. 

Anita. And you must not forget the leetla Dutch 
twins, and my cousin Tomasso, and Hulda and Meeny 
and Sergius and Ah Goo and Sano San and Needla 
and Biddy Mary and Paddy Mike and all the rest. 

Jack Frost. Whew! That's a big order. But 
we won't forget a single soul on Christmas Day. 
And now I've got to go and put the finishing touches 
on — you know what! (Goes behind curtains that 
conceal the Christmas tree.) 

Anita (looks around). Why, he's gone. 

69 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Jack Frost (sticking his head out of the cur- 
tains). The sun has set, it's out of sight, so little 
Jack Frost will say good-night! (Disappears bach 
of curtains.) 

Anita. Good-night, Jolly Jack Frost, good- 
night. Oh, it's the most wonderful secret in all the 
world. And won't the leetla children be glad to 
know that old Santa Claus has not forgotten them. 
He said that Santa Claus was coming tonight in the 
air ship, and it's got to be true, it's just got to be 
true. 

Enter Tomasso from R., carrying violin. 

Tomasso. Anita, if you don't hurry you'll not 
get any supper at all. It's most eight o'clock. 

Anita. Oh, I don't care for supper, Tomasso. I 
could-a not eat. I'm too much excited to eat. 

Tomasso. What make-a you so excited, Anita? 

Anita. Why, tonight — (pauses as she remem- 
bers her promise) Oh, that I cannot tell ; it's a secret. 

Tomasso. What is the secret? 

Anita. If I told-a you, Tomasso, then it would 
no longer be a secret. 

Tomasso. You should-a not have the secrets from 
me, Anita. I am your cousin, also — I am the head 
of the family. 

Anita. But I made the promise not to tell. 

Tomasso. Who you make-a the promise to? 

Anita. I promised Jack — (hesitates) I mean, I 
make-a de promise to someone. 

Tomasso. To Jack! Who is this-a Jack, Anita? 

Anita. That is part of the secret. Listen, To- 
masso, tomorrow morning you shall know everything. 
Early in the morning shall I tell-a you my secret. 
That will be my Christmas present to you. 

70 



Anita's Secret 



Tomasso. All right. I'll wait. Oh, see, Anita, 
the moon is coming up. (Points to L.) Just like-a 
big, round-a silver ball. 

Anita. Let us stay here and watch the moon, 
Tomasso. 

Tomasso. You'd better go and get your supper. 
Those leetla Dutch twins are eating everything on 
the table. I think they'd eat the table itself if it 
was-a not nailed to the deck. Hurry, Anita ! 

Anita. I go. (Crosses to door at R., then turns 
toward him). It's a awful good-a secret, Tomasso. 
(Laughs and runs out at R.) 

Tomasso (looks off L.). Ah, the great, grand-a 
lady moon. She looks at me, I look at her. Maybe 
she'll like a leetla serenade. 

(Simple violin solo by Tomasso, accompanied by 
hidden organ or piano. After he has been playing 
sometime, the other children come softly in from the 
R. and group around the stage. Note : If possible, 
get a boy for Tomasso 's part who can play the vio- 
lin; if not, introduce a song at this point. "Santa 
Lucia," found in most school collections, would prove 
effective either as a vocal solo or as a violin solo.) 

Biddy Mary. Sure, that's beautiful. It takes me 
back again to dear ould Ireland where the River 
Shannon flows. 

Hulda. What do you do in Ireland the night 
before Christmas, Biddy Mary? 

Meeny. Do you have a Christmas tree like we 
do in Germany? 

Biddy Mary. We do not. We don't have any 
tree at all, at all. 

Paddy Mike. And we don't get many presents. 
But it's a fine time we have for all that. Instead of 

71 



Merry Christmas Plays 



getting presents, we have the fun of giving presents 
— and that's the finest thing in all the world, so it is, 
to make the other fellow happy. Sure, I just love 
to give presents. 

Ejlinker. You can give me some if you want to. 

Schwi:l:lie. Und me also some, 

Biddy Mary. But where would we be getting 
presents out here in the middle of the ocean? In 
dear ould Ireland sure it's a fine time we're after 
having on Christmas Day. 

PaddY Mike. It is that. With the fiddles play- 
ing and the dancers dancing and the fine suppers 
upon the table. 

Sergius. In Russia we always set a table in front 
of the window and put a fine linen cloth on it. (Pro- 
duces white lace-edged cloth.) Here is the cloth, but 
we have no window. 

Hulda. Here, use this box as a table. (Indicates 
a large box at rear C.) Now, let us put the cloth on, 
so! (Hulda and Sergius put cloth on the box.) 

Biddy Mary. The night before Christmas we al- 
ways put a big candle, all gay with ribbons, in the 
window to welcome the Christ child. 

Paddy Mike. Here is the candle. (Places it on 
box at rear C.) Now I'll light it. (Lights candle.) 

Tomasso. We do that also in Italy. And we put 
a leetla picture of the Christ child on the table. 
(Puts colored picture of Madonna and Child back 
of the candle.) 

Biddy Mary. On Christmas Day it's the fine old 
tales we're after hearing in Ireland, all about the 
wonderful star that shone so bright that it turned 
night into day, and led the Wise Men all the way to 
where a little Babe in the manger lay. 

72 



■ - ••'- 



Anita's Secret 



Paddy Mike. And all the angels sang above of 
peace on earth, good will and love. 

Biddy Mary. 

The shepherds wandering on the hill, 
Beheld the star and followed till 
They saw the Child and heard the song, 
The angels sang the whole night long. 

Sergius. May the spirit of Christmas enter every 
heart tonight, making all the world one big, happy 
family, no rich, no poor, no high, no low, all brothers 
and sisters, all children of the Lord on high! 

Meeny. Maybe good old Santa Claus will come 
after all. Veil, if he does I want to be ready for 
him. {Produces two very large red stockings, made 
for the occasion.) Come, Yakob and Hans and Mieze, 
let us hang up our stockings here under the burning 
candle. {They hang up the four pair of stockings.) 

Neelda (places a wreath of holly on the table). 
Christ was born on the Christmas Day, wreathe the 
holly, twine the bay ! Light and Life and Joy is He, 
the Babe, the Son, the Holy One of Mary! 

Tomasso. Meeny and Yakob and Hans and leetla 
Mieze have hung up their stockings for the good-a 
Saint Nicholas, but in Italy we set out our shoes, so ! 
And we always get them full of presents. (Places 
small pair of wooden shoes on table.) 

Meeny. I like stockings much better than shoes 
already, because the stockings can stretch yet, und 
if they stretch real, real wide out maybe we can get 
a baby piano or a automobile in our stockings. Jah, 
stockings is mooch better als shoes. 

Hueda. Here is my beautiful star. (Produces 
tinsel star.) That will remind us of the Star of Beth- 
lehem that led the three Wise Men across the hills 



'3 



Merry Christmas Plays 



and plains of Judea unto the little manger where, 
surrounded by cattle and oxen, amid the straw, the 
Lord of Heaven was born on Christmas Eve. 

Schwellie. Und all the angels sang, "Peace on 
earth, good will to men," didn't they, Klinker? 

Klinker. Und all the shepherds heard them, and 
they followed the star and came to the manger to see 
the little Baby. 

Meeny. Let us all sit down here in front of the 
candle and the star, and see if old Santa Claus has 
forgotten us already. It's almost time for him to be 
coming. (All sit down.) 

All (sing). 



THE TIME IS NEAR. 




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74 



Anita's Secret 



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Hulda. Oh, I do hope Santa Claus will come and 
visit us tonight. But of course he cannot go every 
place. Some children have to be left out. 

Keinker. Yes, that's so ; but I hope it ain't us. 
Don't you, Schwillie Willie Winkum? 

Schwillie. Sure, I do. I wish old Santa would 
hurry up and come, 'cause the old Sandman is here 
already. I'm getting awful sleepy. 

Keinker. Me — I'm getting awful sleepy, too. 
(Stretches and yawns.) 

Tomasso. I wonder what has become of Anita? 
She said she had a wonderful secret that was-a verra, 
verra grand. 

Meeny. A secret, Tomasso? (Goes to him.) 

75 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Tomasso {standing at C). Yes, a great, beeg, 
grand-a secret. 

Biddy Mary {goes to him and takes his L. arm). 
Oh, what is it, Tomasso? 

Meeny {taking his R. arm). Yes, Tomasso, tell 
us vot it is already. 

Biddy Mary {turning Tomasso around to face 
her). Sure, if there's anything on earth I do love, 
it's a secret. 

Hitlda {and the other girls, surrounding To- 
masso). Yes, Tomasso, tell us the secret; we'll never 
tell anyone. 

Meeny {pulling him around to face her). Sure 
we won't. Nice Tomasso, tell us vot it is yet. 

Tomasso {hesitates). Well, I — 

Biddy Mary {pulling him around to face her). 
Now, you tell me, Tomasso. I never tell any secrets 
at all, at all. 

Tomasso. Well, I— 

Meeny {pulls him around again). If you're going 
to tell it, I want to hear every word. I never want 
to miss noddings no times. 

Biddy Mary {pulls him back). Neither do I. 

Hitlda. Neither do I. 

Meeny. Neither do any of us. 

Klinker. I don't want to miss nothing neither. 

Schwillie. No, und I don't neither. 

Ale. Now, what is the secret, Tomasso? 

Tomasso {loudly). It is not my secret. It is 
Anita's secret. 

All. Well, what is Anita's secret. 

Tomasso. She wouldn't tell me. 

All {turn away very much disappointed). Oh! 

Tomasso. She's promised to tell us all in the 

76 



Anita's Secret 



morning. She said that would be her Christmas 
present to us — to tell us the secret. .{All sit or re- 
cline around the stage. Lower the lights.) 

Sergius. It seems so strange to spend Christmas 
Eve away out here in the middle of the ocean. 

Klinker (almost asleep). Wake me up, Hulda, 
just as soon as Santa Claus comes. 

Biddy Mary (at R.). Sure I think the Sandman 
has been after spillin' sand in all of our eyes. I'm 
that sleepy I can't say a word at all, at all. 

Sano San. They're putting out all the lights. 
Here, Sergius, hang my little lantern in front of the 
candle. 

Ah Goo. Allee samee hang mine. (Sano San 
and Ah Goo each give their lanterns to Sergius, 
who lights them and hangs them on the table. Note: 
Nails must be put in the table at R. and L. corners 
facing front for these lanterns.) 

Sergius. I'm going to stretch out here and take 
a little nap. (Reclines on floor.) Be sure and wake 
me up, Hulda, just as soon as you hear the bells 
on his reindeer. 

Tomasso (yawns). I wonder what has become of 
Anita ? 

Hulda (stretches). I believe I'm getting sleepy, 
too. 

Others. So are all of us. 

Biddy Mary. We're all noddin', nid, nid noddin', 
sure I think it's time we were all of us fast asleep. 

All (sing sleepily). 

77 



Merry Christmas Plays 



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78 



Anita's Secret 



(All are sound asleep. Stage is dark.) 

Klinker (talking in his sleep). Noddin', nid, nid 
noddin'. 

Schwillie (talking in his sleep). Dropping off 
to sleep, ain't we, Klinker? 

Soft, mysterious music. Anita dances in from R. 
She dances around the stage, keeping time to the 
music and bending over the little sleepers. 

Anita. Asleep! Every last one of them is verra 
sound asleep. Meeny and Biddy Mary, and Sergius 
and Tomasso and the leetla Dutch twins and all! 
(Goes to curtain at rear.) Jack Frost! Jolly Jack 
Frost ! Come-a quick, come-a quick ! They're all 
asleep. 

Jack Frost (sticks his head out of the curtains). 
Hello, what is it? 

Anita. It is Anita. The leetla children are all 
here and sound asleep. 

Jack Frost (coming down to her). And so was 
I. They sang a song about noddin', nid, nid noddin', 
and I just went to sleep myself. I dreamed I was 
hunting a polar bear way up by the North Pole. 
(Yawns.) I'm still awfully sleepy. 

Anita. I didn't know that you ever went to sleep. 

Jack Frost. You bet I do. That's the one thing 
I've got against my daddy's Christmas trip every 
year. It wakes us all up right in the middle of the 
night. 

Anita. The middle of the night? What do you 
mean ? 

Jack Frost. Middle of the north pole night. If 
it wasn't for Christmas we could go to bed about 
half past October and sleep until a quarter of May, 

79 



Merry Christmas Plays 



but ma thinks we ought to help pa and then wait 
up until he comes home. My, I'm sleepy! Aren't 
you? 

Anita. Oh, no, no ! I'm verra too much excited 
to sleep. It's all about my secret. Are you really 
sure he is coming? 

Jack Frost. Of course he is, and it's almost time 
he was here now. It's nearly Christmas Day. Look 
way up there in the sky. You don't see anything 
that looks like an air ship, do you? 

Anita {looking up and off at R.). No, I cannot 
see a single thing. 

Jack Frost (sees table at rear). Oh, look here! 
The children have lighted a candle for him. That's 
just fine. It always pleases him. • And see; here's 
a picture and a wreath of holly and the star o£ 
Bethlehem. And stockings and shoes all in a row. 

Anita (looking up and off R.). I can't see a 
thing. 

Jack Frost. Here's a telescope. Look through 
that. (Takes home-made telescope from his barrel.) 
Now do you see anything? 

Anita. Oh, no ; now I cannot even see the stars 
or the moon. 

Jack Frost. Of course you can't. You are look- 
ing through the wrong end. Turn it around. 

Anita (looks up and off R. through telescope). 

Oh, now I can see the stars. And, oh, look! I see 

a leetla, teeny-weeny thing way, way off — far up 

in the sky. Look, Jack Frost, is that the air ship? 

(Fast music, played softly.) 

Jack Frost (looks through the telescope). Yes, 
I believe it is. 

Anita (dances wildly about the stage). Oh, he's 

80 



Anita's Secret 



coming, he's coming. I'm going to get to see Santa 
Claus ! Is it not wonderful ? I'm going to see him. 
Let me look. {Takes telescope.) Oh, it's getting 
bigger and bigger and bigger ! 

Sleigh bells heard outside at R., far away in the 
distance. 

Jack Frost (capering around). Hurray! daddy's 
coming! daddy's coming! 

Anita. Now I can hear the bells. Oh, it's com- 
ing closer and closer and closer. Look out, it's 
going to hit the boat! (Small toy air ship flies 
across the stage at rear, with tiny lights twinkling 
in it. Stretch a wire across rear of stage and high 
up, for the toy to run on.) 

Jack Frost. He flew right by us. 

Anita. Maybe he didn't see the boat. Oh, now 
he isn't coming at all. 

^Jack Frost (looking out at L.). Yes, he is. He's 
landed right over there. Here he comes ; here he 
comes! (Music and bells louder and louder.) 

Anita (runs to L.). Here we are, Santa Claus. 
This is the place. Come in. Merry Christmas, Santa 
Claus, merry Christmas ! 

Loud fast music. Enter Santa Claus from L. 

Santa Claus. Hello, there — where are you? It's 
so dark I can't see a single thing. 

Jack Frost. Hello, daddy; merry Christmas. 

Santa Claus (shaking hands with him). Hello 
yourself. Merry Christmas to you, too. Are you 
all ready for me? 

Jack Frost. Yes, it's all ready. The magical 
tree is just waiting for your touch to turn into a 
real Christmas tree. 

81 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Anita. Oh, we're going to have a real Christmas 
tree. 

Santa Claus. Hello, who's this young person? 

Jack Frost. This is Anita. 

Santa Claus. And why isn't she sound asleep 
like the rest of the children? 

Jack Frost. She's such a good little girl that I 
told her she could stay up with me and wait until 
you came. 

Santa Claus (laughs). Oh, ho; so you've made 
a hit with my boy, Jack Frost, have you? Well, if 
that's the case, I guess you can stay. 

Anita. But all of the children would like to see 
you, Santa Claus. See, they've prepared the candle 
and the wreath of holly and the star of Bethlehem 
all for you. There's Sergius and Tomasso and 
Hulda and Meeny and Hans and Yakob and Neelda 
and Ah Goo and Sano San and Mieze and the leetla 
Dutch twins, Klinker and Schwillie Willie Winkum. 
They've all been awfully good children. And Biddy 
Mary and Paddy Mike they brought the candle. 
They're good, too. 

Santa Claus. Hurry, Jack, and fill up the shoes 
and stockings. 

Jack Frost (filling them from the sack). Yes, 
daddy, I'm hurrying. 

Santa Claus. It's just two minutes till Christ- 
mas morning. I've had a hard night's work and I 
think I'll just take a little vacation here in the 
steerage. 

Anita. Oh, Santa Claus, may I wake up all the 
leetla children and let them see you? 

Santa Claus. Yes, just as soon as you hear the 
chimes announcing the birth of Christmas Day. 

82 



Anita's Secret 



Anita. And don't you have any other place to 
go this year? 

Santa Claus. I hope not. Here I am in the 
middle of the ocean and my air ship is just about 
played out. Jack, dump everything out of the sack 
and we'll give the little immigrants the j oiliest kind 
of a Christmas. I'm not going to lug all of those toys 
and candy and things back to the North Pole again. 

Jack Frost (empties sack on floor). Here they 
are, daddy. 

Santa Claus. Now, where's the tree? 

Jack Frost (goes to rear of the stage and re- 
moves the curtains that have been concealing the 
dazzling Christmas tree.). There she is. Isn't she 
a beauty? 

Anita. Oh, it's the greatest, most grand-a tree 
in all the world. 

(Faint chimes are heard in the distance.) 

Jack Frost. There are the chimes. It is Christ- 
mas Day. Merry Christmas, daddy; merry Christ- 
mas, Anita. Christmas Day is here. 

Anita (dancing around). Merry Christmas, Jack 
Frost ! Merry Christmas, Santa Claus ! Merry Christ- 
mas, everybody! Merry Christmas to all the world. 
Wake up, Hulda! Wake up! (Shakes her.) 

Jack Frost. Wake up, Paddy Mike and Sergius ! 
Wake up! Merry Christmas! 

Santa Claus. Wake up, Meeny and Biddy. It's 
Christmas morning. And you two little shavers, 
Klinker and Schwillie Willie Winkum, wake up and 
give Santa Claus a good, old hug! 
' (The children all awaken. Rub eyes, stretch, etc.) 

Hulda. Oh, he's come, he's come, he's come! 
(Runs and hugs Santa Claus.) 

83 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Schwiklie. Me, too. {Hugs him.) I said he'd \ x 
come, didn't I, Klinker? 

{Lights all on full.) 

Keinker {hugging Santa Claus). Sure you 
did. And me, too, didn't I, Schwillie Willie Winkum? 

Meeny. Oh, see the tree! The beautiful, beau- 
tiful Christmas tree. 

Tomasso. And my leetla shoes are full of candy 
and toys. 

Paddy Mike. Now, let's be all after giving three 
cheers for old Santa Claus. {The cheers are given.) 

Anita {bringing Jack Frost forward). And this 
is the leetla Jolly Jack Frost. 

Paddy Mike. Then three cheers for the leetla 
Jolly Jack Frost. {The cheers are given.) 

Anita {at C. with Jack Frost). This was my 
Christmas secret. Santa Claus and the air ship and 
the Christmas tree and jolly Jack Frost and every- 
thing. This was the secret. 

Paddy Mike. Now all of yeez give three cheers 
for Anita's secret. {The cheers are given. Folk 
dance may be introduced. All sing Christmas carol 
as the curtain falls.) 

Curtain. 

REMARKS ON THE PRODUCTION OF THE 
PLAY. 

THE SCENERY. 

The stage should be set to represent the steerage 
of a large ocean-going vessel. A good elaborate set 
may be arranged with very little expense by follow- 
ing the diagram. The back drop should be of light 
blue with a few cumulus clouds in white. The water 
line should be about one-fourth from the bottom, 

84 



M. 



Anita's Secret 



and from this line downward the scene should be 
darker blue, with white waves. 

The background may be made from canvas or 
paper, as desired. A good effect has been produced 
by covering frames with tissue paper of the desired 
shades, the clouds and the water lines being cut from 
white paper and pasted on. 

A railing runs across rear of stage. This railing 
is made of wood, with a tennis net serving for the wir- 
ing. Round life-savers are cut from paper, painted 
and attached to the railing. The ventilator and 
hatchways may be made from brown bristol board. 

A large Christmas tree, lighted and decorated, 
stands at rear L. This is concealed by curtains. 

A square box or table stands at rear C. Several 
barrels and boxes are at left front, and a box is at 
right front. A large barrel stands at left of center 
near the rear. 




85 



Merry Christmas Peays 



properties. 

Woolen stocking and knitting needles for Meeny. 

Potatoes, knife, bowl for Biddy Mary. 

Jack-stones for Sergius. 

Tambourine for Anita. 

Nickel (coin) for Jack Frost. 

Violin for Tomasso. 

White, lace-edged table cloth for Sergius. 

Large candle decorated with red ribbons for Paddy 

Mike. 
Bright picture of Virgin and Child for Tomasso. 
Two large red stockings for Meeny. 
Extra stockings for Yakob, Hans and Mieze. 
Wreath of holly for Neelda. 
Small wooden shoes for Tomasso. 
Tinsel star for Hulda. 
Telescope for Jack Frost. Made from a pasteboard 

roll covered with black cloth. 
Toy air ship on a wire, to sail across stage at rear. 
Pack of toys for Santa Claus. 
Sleigh bells for Santa. 
Chimes heard outside. 

COSTUMES AXD SUGGESTIONS. 

Saxta Ceaus — High boots. Red or brown coat 
or mackinaw, trimmed with fur (or cotton, dotted 
to imitate ermine fur) . Cap to match coat. String 
of bells around neck. Pack of toys. White hair, 
mustache and long, white beard. Rosy cheeks. Do 
not wear a false-face, as this often frightens little 
children and makes the character seem unreal. When 
there are little children in the cast, their belief in 
Santa Claus must not be disturbed and the adult por- 
traying the character need not attend the general 

86 



Anita's Secret 



rehearsals. The high boots may be shaped from 
black oil-cloth and drawn on over black shoes. Use a 
pillow or two to give an ample girth. 

Jolly Jack Frost (aged 8 or 9) — A jolly, little 
chubby-faced boy who can memorize and deliver a 
long part. White stockings and shoes. Canton 
flannel suit of white, trimmed with long points cut 
from cloth, to represent icicles. Long-pointed cap 
of white, coming down around back of head and 
forming a long-pointed collar in front. The top 
point should be wired into position. Face and hands 
are powdered very white. Put small dabs of mu- 
cilage on the costume and sprinkle here and there 
with diamond dust powder. Trim the costume with 
bits of cotton to represent snow. 

Anita (aged 8 or 9) — Dark hair and complexion. 
Black slippers with red rosettes or bows on them. 
White stockings. Green skirt. Small dark red apron, 
edged with white, black and green. Black spencer 
waist laced in front showing the white underwaist. 
Puffed sleeves falling to elbows. Green and red 
bows on elbows. Red silk handkerchief laid loosely 
over the shoulders. Gold beads around neck. ^Large 
earrings may be attached with court plaster. The 
headdress is a white oblong cloth, about six inches 
wide and about eighteen inches long. This cloth is 
gayly decorated with bands of red, green and black 
ribbons and the part on the head is padded with 
a small square of pasteboard. Tambourine decorated 
with red, black and green ribbons. A yellow silk 
handkerchief may replace the Sicilian headdress 
above described. 

Hulda (aged 10) — A blonde girl with hair in two 
long braids. Wooden shoes, white stockings. Sev- 

87 



Merry Christmas Plays 



eral very full underskirts. Long skirt of dark blue, 
made very full around the bottom. This skirt is 
patched with squares of dark red and striped goods. 
Large blue gingham apron edged with stripes of 
dark red. White waist. Blue bodice of same mate- 
rial as skirt. Small white cap fitting close to head 
in back, but turned back in front with points over 
each ear. Face round and rosy. If the wooden 
shoes are not easily obtained, fair substitutes may 
be made by covering an old pair of shoes with cream 
colored oil-cloth. 

Sergius (aged 9) — Black oil-cloth leggings to 
knees. Dark trousers. Long Russian blouse of dark 
green coming nearly to knees and belted in at waist 
with black oil-cloth belt. Blouse edged with dark 
fur. Dark green cap trimmed with dark fur. 

Meeny (aged 7) — Full white waist. Black bodice 
laced with red. Rather short red skirt, with black 
stripes sewed around bottom. White lace apron 
edged with red and black. White mob cap, puffed 
high in front. Red and black strings on cap which 
are tied under her chin. She carries a gray woolen 
sock, half finished, and knitting needles. Wooden 
shoes if possible. 

Biddy Mary — Old shoes and ragged stockings. 
Old-fashioned dress, rather short, of plaid gingham. 
Worn gingham apron. Little square shawl of red 
and black checked goods, crossed on breast. Old- 
fashioned, little black bonnet tied under her chin. 
She carries a pan of potatoes and a knife. Her age 
is about 8. 

Paddy Mike — Small boy of 7, dressed in a man's 
suit, cut down in a clumsy manner. Green vest. 

88 



Anita's Secret 



Black swallow-tail coat. Little plug hat, made by 
covering a pasteboard form with black cloth. Shoes, 
old and worn, and many, many sizes too large for 
him. 

Tomasso — Black slippers, white stockings. Red 
and yellow ribbons wound around legs. Black knee 
breeches and zouave jacket. Striped sport shirt. 
Red and yellow bows at knees and on shoulders. 
Red handkerchief knotted loosely at throat. Black 
felt hat, turned up side, gayly decorated with red 
and yellow ribbons. On his second entrance he car- 
ries a violin. A dark complexioned boy aged about 9. 

The Dutch Twins (aged 4 or 5) — Hair in 
Buster Brown style. Very full blue trousers ex- 
tending from under the arms to ankles. These are 
made of blue denim and patched with large vari-col- 
ored patches. Wooden shoes. Striped shirts. Dutch 
caps made of dark cloth, with a peak in front and 
a crown about six inches high. The twins should 
be dressed exactly alike and look as much alike as 
possible. Get chubby little fellows and thoroughly 
rehearse them in their part; in fact they must go 
over it so much that it must come as second nature 
to them on the night of the performance. Much 
of the humor in the play depends on the little Dutch 
twins. When they walk let them take long strid- 
ing steps. Use frequent gestures, nods, etc., in their 
dialogue, but be sure and have every movement 
exactly the same at each rehearsal. These parts are 
not difficult if the little actors are well trained, and 
their success on the night of the performance will 
amply repay the trouble spent in their proper 
coaching. 

89 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Neelda — A little brunette girl, aged 4 or 5. Yel- 
low sateen skirt and zouave jacket, trimmed with 
coarse black lace. Broad red sash tied on the side. 
White baby waist. Black lace mantilla over head, 
and hair dressed high with a high comb. Red rose 
over left ear. 

Ah Goo — A chubby little Chinese boy of 5. White 
stockings, black slippers, white pajamas, slanting 
eyebrows, small round white cap and long pig-tail 
made of black yarn. Carries Chinese kite. 

Yakob — Chubby boy of 6, dressed similar to 
twins, but in contrasting colors. Wears yarn stock- 
ing cap. Wooden shoes. 

Hans — Tall, thin boy of 9. Dressed similar to 
the twins, but in brown. Tall black cap similar 
to those worn by the twins. 

Mieze — Little girl of 3 or 4, dressed similar to 
Hulda, but in dark red and red and white checked 
gingham. 

Sano San — Little Japanese girl in kimono and 
sash. Eyebrows slanting. Hair dressed high. 
Chrysanthemums over ears. Carries a paper parasol 
or fan. 

The Christmas tree is for the whole school and 
is concealed during the first part of the play by 
curtains. If there is to be no tree, all reference to 
it may be omitted without injury to the continuity 
of the play. 

Other songs may be substituted for the songs here 
given, but these have proved very successful in sev- 
eral performances of Anita's Secret. 



90 



CHRISTMAS WITH THE MULLIGAN'S 




i if i : EUDQRfl 



CHRISTMAS WITH THE MULLI- 
GAN'S 

A FUNNY CHRISTMAS PLAY IN THREE SHORT ACTS. 

CHARACTERS. 

The Widow Mulligan 

With a Heart Overflowing with Sunshine 

Patsy Aged Twelve 

Matsy Aged Eleven 

Teddy Magee Aged Seven 

Nora Eudora Aged Fourteen 

Micky Machree Aged Five 

Bridget Honora Aged Ten 

Sweet Mary Ann Aged Eight 

Melissa Aged Six 

Clarissa Aged Six 

Wee Peter Pan Aged Four 

Mrs. O'Toole, A Neighbor 

.' With a Heart Overflowing with Kindness 



Time of Playing — About One Hour. 



How they lived and what they wore will be told 
under the "Notes to the Manager" at the end of 
the play. 



93 



Merry Christmas Plays 



ARGUMENT. 

Sure, there isn't much argument at all, at all. 
It's all happiness and merriment and love, and where 
there is happiness and merriment and love there isn't 
any time for argument. The Widow Mulligan is 
a cheerful washerwoman who lives in Mulligan Alley 
in Shantytown, surrounded by her ten little Mulli- 
gans, to say nothing of the goat, Shamus O'Brien. 
A good-hearted neighbor, Mrs. O'Toole, has a lively 
time with the goat, but she forgives all his misdeeds 
as it is Christmas Eve and the little Mulligans are 
starting out for a grand Christmas entertainment. 
When they return they entertain their mother and 
Mrs. O'Toole, and, incidentally, the audience. 

But let's have done with the argument and let 
the fun begin. 



Act I. 
Scene : The Mulligan's front room. Entrances 
at right and left. Window at rear. At rise of cur- 
tain Mrs. Mulligan is discovered at C, washing 
clothes in a tub. Bridget Honora and Matsy are 
hanging wet clothes on a line, which runs across the 
rear of the stage. 

Mrs. Mulligan (singing to a made-up tune as 
she washes). 

Oh, give me a nice little home, 
And plenty of suds in me tub, 
And I will be happy all day, 
With me rubby-dub, rubby-dub, dub. 

The queen on her golden throne, 
Will envy me here at me tub, 

94 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 

For no one's as jolly as I, 

With me rubby-dub, rubby-dub, dub. 

Sure, what would I do at a dance? 
Or what would I do at a club? 
But here in me kitchen I'm queen 
With me rubby-dub, rubby-dub, diib. 

Oh, give me a nice little home, 
And plenty of suds in me tub, 
And I will be happy all day, 
With me rubby-dub, rubby-dub, dub I 

Matsy. Maw, don't you think it's most time fer 
us to be going? 

Mrs. Mulligan. Time to be going, is it? Well, 
I should hope not. Sure, half of the children are 
not dry yet, and the other half are not dressed. 
Bridget Honora, darlin', look in the other room and 
see how they're coming on. (Exit Bridget at R.) 

Matsy. I think we ought to be there early, so 
as we can get a good seat on the front row. I don't 
want to miss nothing. (Hangs up a boy's union 
suit.) 

Mrs. Mulligan. True for you, Matsy, and I 
don't want yeez to be missing anything either. It 
ain't like as if yeez go to a fine Christmas entertain- 
ment ivery night of yer lives. (Washes.) 

Matsy. It's the first one any of us ever went to 
at all, at all. Do yeez think they be after having 
moving pictures? 

Mrs. Mulligan. Of course not. Not in a Sun- 
day School, Matsy. But belike they'll have a fine, 
grand Christmas tree with singin' and spaches and 

95 



Merry Christmas Plays 



fine costumes and prisints for every one. (Calls off 
R.) Bridget Honora ! 

Bridget (off R.). Yes, maw? 

Mrs. Mulligan. Come here. 

Enter Bridget from R. 

Bridget. Melissa and Micky Machree have been 
scrubbed until they shine. They're sitting in the 
window drying in the sun. Mary Ann is cleaning 
Peter Pan in the lard bucket, and Patsy is washing 
Teddy Magee in the rain-barrel. Nora is curling 
Clarissa's hair with the poker, and somebody's un- 
tied the goat. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Untied the goat, is it? Matsy 
Mulligan, put on yer hat at once and see what's be- 
come of Shamus O'Brien. He's a good goat, is 
Shamus, but he's like the late Mr. Mulligan, he has 
a rovin' disposition and a tremenjous appetite. 
Hurry now, Matsy. 

Matsy (whining). Aw, now, maw, I can't go and 
hunt the goat. I'm all dressed up for the entertain- 
ment. If I go after the goat, sure it's all mussed 
up I'll be. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Yis, if I swat you one wid this 
wet cloth, it's worse than mussed up you'll be. 
Hurry after the goat. Niver a step does any Mul- 
ligan take from this house tonight until Shamus 
O'Brien is safe in the kitchen, wid his horns tied to 
the wash boiler. 

Matsy. Sure, I dunno where to look fer him. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Go over to Mrs. O'Toole's cab- 
bage garden; like as not ye'll find him there. Sure, 
Shamus has a fine appetite for cabbages. 

Matsy. Don't let 'em start afore I get back. I 

96 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 

don't want to miss nothin'. {Takes cap and exits 
L.) 

Mrs. Mulligan. Now, Bridget Honora, lave off 
hanging up the clothes and go in and see if Melissa 
and Micky Machree are dry yet. And if they are 
call me in and I'll attend to their costumes. 

Bridget. Maw, Mary Ann's having an awful 
time. She's growed so that her skirt and her waist 
has parted company, and what she'll be after doing 
I don't know at all, at all. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Is there anything she can use 
as a sash? 

Bridget. No'm. Nora and Clarissa have used 
up all the sashes. 

Mrs. Mulligan {takes fringed bureau cover from 
wash-basket). Look here, now, Bridget Honora, 
see what I've found in the wash. It's a tidy to go 
on top of a dresser, but I'm thinking it's just the 
thing to fill the gap between the skirt and the waist 
of Mary Ann. 

Bridget. Yes, maw. {Exit R.) 

Enter Patsy from R. He runs in and is very 

much excited. 

Patsy. Oh, maw, maw, come quick! Hurry, or 
he'll be drowned. 

Mrs. Mulligan. What is it, Patsy? Spake 
quick. 

Patsy. It's Teddy Magee. I was givin' him a 
wash in the rain-barrel, when all of a sudden, bad 
luck to him, he slipped through me fingers and fell 
head-first down in the barrel. {Cries.) Oh, it's 
drownded dead he'll be. Oh, oh! {Cries.) 

97 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Mrs. Mulligan. Oh, me baby, me baby! (Rushes 
out at R.) 

Enter Nora and Clarissa from L. 

Nora. Now sit right down there, Clarissa, and 
don't be moving a hair, because you're all fixed and 
ready for the entertainment. 

Clarissa. And how do I look, Nora? 

Nora. Ye look like a Christmas angel, so you 
do. Your hair curled just lovely and your striped 
stockings will be the admiration and envy of the 
entire Sunday School. 

Patsy. Oh, Nora Eudora, come on quick. Teddy 
Magee fell in the rain-barrel and it's drownded dead 
he is intirely. (Cries.) 

Nora. In the rain-barrel? How did he get in the 
rain-barrel? 

Patsy. Sure, I was washing him, I was. And 
he was that slippery with the soap that he slid 
through me fingers and down to the bottom of the 
barrel. 

Nora. Oh, the poor little Teddy Magee. (Runs 
out R., followed by Patsy and Clarissa.) 

Enter Mary Ann and Peter Pan from L. 

Mary Ann. And how de yeez like me new sash, 
Peter Pan? 

Peter Pan. Scwumptious. 

Mary Ann. It's a tidy cover off'n a bureau, and 
I don't want to wear it at all, at all. Folks'll be 
after thinking I'm a bureau. Don't it look fumry, 
Peter Pan ? 

Peter Pan. Scwumptious. 

Mary Ann. I'm not going to wear it, so I'm not. 
98 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 

Enter Bridget from L. 

Bridget. Mary Ann Mulligan, and what are 
yeez trying to do with your nice new sash? 

Mary Ann. I ain't going to wear no tidy cover. 
Folks'll be after thinking I'm a bureau. 

Bridget. Sure they'll think worse than that if 
yeez take it off. That's what comes of yer growing 
so fast. Yer skirt is fer six years old, and yer waist 
is fer six years old, and so you have to wear the 
sash to help out the other two years. Sashes are 
awful stylish, anyhow. It's pretty, too, ain't it, 
Peter Pan? 

Peter Pan. Scwumptious. 

Enter Mrs. Mulligan from R., followed by 
Patsy and Nora. 

Mrs. Mulligan. It's lucky for him that there 
wasn't any more water in the rain-barrel, or he 
would have been drownded dead sure. Patsy, yeez 
had no business to let him drop. Nora, you go out 
and finish him. Where's Clarissa? 

Enter Clarissa from R. 

Clarissa. Here I am, maw. 

Mrs. Mulligan (looks her over carefully). Well, 
you're all ready. That's one. Nora and Patsy and 
Matsy are all ready. That makes four. Mary Ann, 
are you all fixed? 

Mary Ann. Yes, mum, but I don't like me sash 
at all, at all. Folks will all know it's a bureau tidy, 
it's got fringe and everything. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Oh, ho, me fine young lady. 
I suppose yeez want a peek-a-boo dress all trimmed 
with mayonnaise ruffles down the bias, do you? It's 
lucky for you I found that tidy in the wash, so it is. 

99 



Merry Christmas Plays 



And don't yeez eat too much or breathe hard or 
ye'll bust it, and then where'll you be at? 

Bridget. Maw, Mary Ann's chewing her apron. 

Mrs. Mulligan {at the wash-tub). Mary Ann 
Mulligan, take that apron out'n your mouth. I 
niver saw such a girl to be always chewing some- 
thing. It's first yer dress and then yer apron or 
your petticoat, whatever happens to be your top- 
most garment. Clothes were not made to chew. 

Enter Nora with Teddy, Melissa and Micky, 
from L. 

Nora. Here they are, maw, all ready for the 
party. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Are ye sure they're all clean? 

Nora. I am that. They've been scrubbed until 
me two arms ache. And Micky's had a bath in the 
rain-barrel. 

Micky. I have that, and I don't want another 
one, either. 

Mrs. Mulligan. All yeez sit down and let me 
look ye over. 

Nora. Have ye finished the washing, maw? 

Mrs. Mulligan. For the prisint, yes. I have 
more important duties to perform. Now, first and 
foremost, don't walk pigeon-toed. Bridget, have 
ye got a clane handkerchief? 

Bridget. Yis, mum. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Well, don't forget to use it if 
the necessity arises, and you'd better set next to 
Peter Pan so's he can use it, too. He's been kinder 
nosey all day, and I shouldn't wonder if he wasn't 
coming down with a cold in his head. How do you 
feel, Peter Pan? 

100 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 

Peter Pan. Scwumptious. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Micky Machree Mulligan, and 
what are yeez looking cross-eyed for? Do ye think 
it improves yer beauty? 

Micky. I thought there was a speck of dirt on 
me nose. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Well, there's not, and hold yer 
head up straight. 

Patsy. Maw, ain't it most time to go? 

Mrs. Mulligan. It lacks two hours yet of the 
time, and Matsy ain't come back with the goat. 
Whatever's become of Shamus O'Brien I'd like to 
know. Which of yeez seen him last? 

Nora. I saw him this mornin'. He was eatin' a 
tin tomato can down in the alley. 

Mrs. Mulligan. The poor thing! Now I sup- 
pose I'll have a sick goat on me hands on top of 
all me other troubles — and tomorrow's Christmas 
Day. 

Bridget. Maw, suppose they won't let us in the 
Sunday School at all, at all. We don't belong to 
that Sunday School. What'll we do then? 

Mrs. Mulligan. Indade they'll not turn yeez 
away on Christmas Eve. I chose that Sunday School 
for yeez to attend because it's the largest and the 
most fashionable in town. Mrs. Beverly Brewster 
goes there, and wherever Mrs. Beverly Brewster 
goes, sure yeez can count on it, it's bound to be most 
fashionable and select. 

Mary Ann. But we never went there before. 
They'll think it's awfully nervy fer us to come buttin' 
in at their Christmas entertainment. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Niver once will they. They'll 
welcome yeez with open arms and many Christmas 

101 



Merry Christmas Plays 



prisints. And whatever yeez get be sure and say, 
"Thank yeez kindly and much obliged." Can ye 
do that? 

All. Oh, yes, mum. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Clarissa, look out'n the door 
and see if ye see anything of Matsy and the goat. 

Clarissa. Yes, mum. (Goes to door at L.) 

Mrs. Mulligan. Mary Ann Mulligan, quit fool- 
ing with yer sash. If I've told yer once I'v told yer a 
hundred times it's liable to bust and yer skirt and 
yer waist ain't on speakin' terms. 

Clarissa (at door). Maw, here comes Mrs. 
O'Toole. 

Mrs. Mulligan. It's the goat. He's been filling 
himself up on the O'Toole cabbages. My, my, that 
goat'll be the death of me yet. 

Enter Mrs. O'Toole, limping in from L. 

Mrs. O'Toole. Good evening, Mrs. Mulligan. 

Mrs. Mulligan. The same to ye, Mrs. O'Toole. 
Come in and set down. 

Mrs. O'Toole. I have no time to set down, and 
I have no inclination to set down. And it's all on 
account of yer goat, Shamus O'Brien. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Me goat, is it? 

Mrs. O'Toole. It is the same, and it's an in- 
jured woman I am this night. 

Mrs. Mulligan. My, my! I'll have to kill that 
old goat. He's entirely too obstreperous. And did 
he chase you, Mrs. O'Toole? 

Mrs. O'Toole. Chase me? He did worse than 
chase me. He caught up with me. 

Mrs. Mulligan. And where is he now? 

Mrs. O'Toole. Niver a know do I know where 

102 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 

he is. I left your boy Matsy chasing him down the 
alley with a rope. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Bridget, go in the far room 
and get a wee drop of tay for Mrs. O'Toole. 

Mrs. O'Toole. I can't drink any tay. I'm that 
injured I can't drink at all, at all. 

Mrs. Mulligan. A drop of tay will warm ye up. 
Hurry, Bridget. 

Bridget. Yis, mum. {Exits R.) 

Mrs. O'Toole. I was out in me cabbage garden 
picking a bit of cabbage for me owld man's Christ- 
mas dinner. I was bending over looking at the cab- 
bage whin all of a sudden I felt meself flying through 
the air and I landed in the watering trough, so I did. 
And it was full of water. And I'm almost killed en- 
tirely — and it's all the fault of your goat, Mrs. 
Mulligan. 

Mrs. Mulligan. There, now, Kathleen, darlin', 
sit down and take things easy. 

Mrs. O'Toole. I'll not sit down, Mollie Mulli- 
gan. Sure I'm thinking I'll be after spindin' the 
rist of me life standing up on me two fate. 

Mrs. Mulligan. So the goat struck ye, did he? 

Mrs. O'Toole. He did. 

Mrs. Mulligan. My, my, the trouble I've had 
all along of that Shamus O'Brien. He's an awful 
goat, is Shamus O'Brien. 

Enter Bridget with two cups of tea. 

Bridget. Here's the tea, mum. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Thank ye kindly, Bridget. 
Here, Kathleen, take a cup of tay and let it soothe 
your wounded feelings. 

103 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Mrs. O'Toole. Sure, it's more than me feelings 
that is wounded, Mrs. Mulligan. {Drinks tea.) 

Clarissa. Maw, ain't it time we were starting for 
the entertainment? 

Mrs. Mulligan. My, my, I've been that excited 
about the misdeeds of that rascal Shamus O'Brien 
that I had forgotten the Christmas entertainment 
entirely. 

Mrs. O'Toole. Sure, your family looks as though 
they were going out in society, Mollie Mulligan. 

Mrs. Mulligan. They are that. They're on 
their way to the fine church entertainment at the 
Sunday School down the strate. 

Nora {at door L.). Maw, here comes Matsy with 
the goat. {Looks out of door.) 

Mrs. Mulligan {goes to door and speaks off L.). 
Matsy Mulligan, tie that goat in the back yard and 
tie all his four fate together. I'll tach him a lesson, 
if it's the last thing I ever do. Patsy, go out and 
help your brother tie up Shamus O'Brien. {Exit 
Patsy at L.) 

Mrs. O'Toole. Nora Eudora, darlin', have ye 
got a sofy pillow handy. I think if I had a couple 
of sofy pillows I could set down and enjoy me tay. 

Nora. Yis, mum. Here's two of 'em. {Arranges 
them in the chair.) 

Enter Patsy and Matsy from L. 

Matsy. Come on, all of yeez, or we'll be late for 
the show. And I don't want to miss nothin'. 

Mrs. Mulligan {standing at R.). I think yeez 
are all ready now. Let me see if there's anyone miss- 
ing. {Counting and pointing to each in turn.) 

104 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 

There's Patsy and Matsy and Teddy Magee, 
Nora Eudora and Micky Machree, 
Bridget Honora and sweet Mary Ann, 
Melissa, Clarissa and wee Peter Pan. 

Patsy. We are all here, maw. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Now, yer all ready. Throw out 
yer heads. Forward, march! 

Children. Good-bye, maw. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Good-bye, and the Lord love 
yeez all. Have a good time. Good-bye. (The 
children march out at L.) 

Mrs. O'Toole. Ten of 'em. I don't see how ye 
ever manage to make both ends meet, Mollie Mulli- 
gan, with ten big, healthy children — to say nothing 
of the goat, Shamus O'Brien. 

Mrs. Mulligan (in door waving hand to chil- 
dren). Good-bye. Have a good time. (Yells.) 
Mary Ann, don't let yer sash bust in two! (Crosses 
to R. and sinks in chair.) 

Mrs. O'Toole. Ye have a fine family, Mrs. Mul- 
ligan. Ye have a fine bunch of boys, and ye have 
a bunch of girls, and ye have a fine bunch of babies ; 
but ye have an awful goat. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Shamus O'Brien is the pest of 
me heart, Kathleen O'Toole; so he is; but he's all 
that's left of me late husband's property. Michael 
Mulligan thought the world of that goat, he did. 

Mrs. O'Toole. I'm a peaceful woman, Mollie 
Mulligan, and a calm, neighborly woman ; but I don't 
like goats. 

Mrs. Mulligan. I don't blame ye at all, at all, 
Kathleen. But poor Shamus O'Brien was probably 

105 



Merry Christmas Plays 



only nosing around fer a bit of Christmas Eve din- 
ner. I'll kape him tied in the future. 

Mrs. O'Toole. Sure and it is Christmas Eve, 
isn't it? 

Mrs. Mulligan. Indade it is, and for the sake 
of the holy eve, I think ye'd best be after forgiving 
the poor goat and not harbor any ill feeling agin 
him on Christmas Day. 

Mrs. O'Toole. Harbor ill feeling, is it? Faith, 
then I'll not, Mollie Mulligan, and it's meself that'll 
be bringing over a big cabbage head on the morning 
for Shamus O'Brien's Christmas dinner. 

Mrs. Mulligan (rises). I'll be after tidying up 
the house a bit. It's little enough I've got for the 
children's Christmas tomorrow morning ; but at least 
I can have me house in order and a burning candle 
shining in the windy. (Lights candle and sets it on 
table in front of the window.) 

This light shall burn on Christmas Day, 
For Him who in the manger lay, 
And all are welcome at my door, 
The high, the low, the rich, the poor, 
And every heart shall sing again 
Of peace on earth, good will to men. 

Mrs. O'Toole (rises). Your burning candle 
takes me back again to the days of me childhood in 
County Clare. Well do I mind me last Christmas 
Eve in ould Ireland, the little thatched cabin with 
its one window, the stinging smoke of the peat fire, 
the lads and the colleens and the ould piper — and 
the merry dances and songs, do ye remember, Mollie, 

106 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 



darling? {Puts arms on hips, wags head from side 
to side and sings briskly.) 



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107 



Merry Christmas Plays 



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108 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 

Mrs. O'Toole (sings briskly) : 

Did you ever go into an Irishman's shanty, 
Where money was scarce but where welcome was 

plenty ? 
A three-legged stool and a table to match it, 
But the door of the shanty is always unlatched. 
Tee-oodle, dum-doodle, dum-doodle, dum day ! 
(Repeat until end.) 

Mrs. Mulligan (faces her, assumes same position, 
sings briskly) : 
Our nate little house, it looks out on the street, 
There's two beautiful rooms and a pig-sty 

complete. 
Each girl has a dress and each boy has a coat, 
There's tin happy children, six pigs and a goat. 
Tee-oodle, dum-doodle, dum-doodle, dum day ! 
(Repeat until end.) 

Mrs. O'Toole (sings) : 

Sure the Mulligans always are happy and 

bright, 
They sing in the morning, they sing in the 

night, 
Now Patsy and Matsy are strong as can be, 
But the billy-goat's stronger than'ather, you 
see! 
Tee-oodle, dum-doodle, dum-doodle, dum day ! 
(Repeat until end.) 

Mrs. O'Toole hums the song faster and begins 
to jig, by kicking out R. and L. foot alternately, 
on first three lines and twirling on fourth line. 

At the beginning of the "Tee-oodle," Mrs. Mul- 
ligan starts in and does exactly as Mrs. O'Toole 

109 



Merry Christmas Plays 



did on the first four lines, while Mrs. O'Toole ships 
around stage in a circle. 

On the second verse they march forward and back, 
arms on hips. Forward again. Do-si-do (backs to 
bach). March forward and back and then each 
twirls alone. Mrs. O'Toole knocks over the table. 
Mrs. Mulligan, not to be outdone, knocks over the 
tub. The music becomes faster and faster. 

On third verse they jig alone, then forward and 
back, forward again and swing each other madly. 
While they are dancing they shout out occasionally, 
"Huroo for ould Ireland!" "That's me fine lady!" 
"Look at me now!" etc. 

Curtain. 

Act II. 

Same as scene before. The wash-tub has been re- 
moved, also the washing from the line. The table 
has been straightened and Mrs. O'Toole is seated 
there making a toy elephant. Mrs. Mulligan is 
seated at L. dressing a doll body in a baby's dress. 
The candle burns before the window. 

Mrs. O'Toole. It's lucky for us, darlin', that 
me husbancl is out at his lodge tonight. I can stay 
with you until the children return from the enter- 
tainment, and maybe it's a bit of a Christmas Eve 
high- jinks we can be having afterwards. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Indade, I'm glad to have ye. 
Kathleen. Will your husband be long at lodge? 

Mrs. O'Toole (cutting the elephant's ears from 
brown paper). He will that. Pat is the Grand Ex- 
alted Chafe Ruler of the Benevolent and Obstrep- 

110 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 

erous Order of United Wooden-men, and he won't 
be home till marnin! 

Mrs. Mulligan. Is he now? The late Mr. Mul- 
ligan was niver much of a lodge joiner but that 
made no difference to him; he niver came home till 
marnin', lodge or no lodge. 

Mrs. O'Toole. Remember, Mollie, you're com- 
ing over to dinner with us tomorrow. It's at one 
o'clock. 

Mrs. Mulligax. Oh, Kathleen, I can't be laving 
the children at all, at all. On Christmas Day, too. 

.Mrs. O'Toole. Of course you can't. Ye're go- 
ing to bring the children over with ye. 
Mrs. Mulligan. The whole tin of them? 
Mrs. O'Toole (counting on fingers). 
Patsy and Matsy, 
And Teddy Magee, 
Nora Eudora, 
And Micky Machree, 
Bridget Honora, 
And sweet Mary Ann, 
Melissa,- Clarissa, 
And wee Peter Pan. 
Mrs. Mulligan. And ye're willing for the whole 
bunch of us to come? 

Mrs. O'Toole. All but the goat. I draw the 
line at Shamus O'Brien. Ye see it's this way. Me 
man, Pat, won a turkey in a raffle, and it's as big 
as a billy-goat. Then on top of that me daughter 
Toozy? that's married and lives in the country, sent 
us two chickens and a goose. And there's only me 
and Pat to ate all that. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Kathleen O'Toole, it's a saint 
ye are. 

Ill 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Mrs. O'Toole. I says to Pat, says I, "Christmas 
ain't Christmas at all, at all, unless there's some 
children at the dinner." "What'll we do?" says Pat. 
"Invite the Mulligans," says I. And Pat was tickled 
to death. We've potatoes and squash and cabbage 
from me own garden, and we've oyster dressing and 
cramberries and stewed corn and apple fritters, and 
it's meself that has made eight mince pies, and four 
punkin ones — and I think we'll be after having a 
dinner on Christmas Day that would do credit to 
ould Saint Patrick himself. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Sure, ye almost make me cry 
for joy, Kathleen O'Toole, and after the goat trated 
ye the way he did, too. 

Mrs. O'Toole. If a woman can't be neighborly 
and loving on Christmas Day, Mollie Mulligan, sure 
I'm thinking she niver can be neighborly and loving 
at all, at all. 

Mrs. Mulligan. And ye're aven makin' a bit of 
an iliphant for wee Peter Pan. 

Mrs. O'Toole. I am that. Here's the little, fat 
body. (Shows cylindrical piece of dark green 
squash.) And here's the four legs. (Shows two 
bananas cut in half.) I'll just stick the legs on with 
nails — and there he stands. Now, here's a little po- 
tato for a head, and an ould skinny carrot for a 
trunk. I'll stick them on with a hair pin. (Does 
so.) Now, I'll stick on the ears and put in the shoe- 
button eyes, and with this wee bit of black paper 
for a tailpiece, and there ye are. Mr. Mumbo Jumbo 
Mulligan as natural as life and twice as handsome. 
(Shows elephant to audience.) 

Mrs. Mulligan. Here's a doll baby I've dressed, 
but it's no head she has at all, at all. 

112 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 

Mrs. O'Toole. Use a big yellow apple or a wee 
yellow punkin, and put on a baby cap — and there 
ye are. Stick in some buttons for eyes, and a wee 
nose and mouth of red paper — and stick the head on 
the body with some hair pins, and the quane herself 
niver had a better doll baby. 

Mrs. Mulligan. I'll put her right here on the 
table alongside of the iliphant. 

Mrs. O'Toole. It's nine o'clock, it is. Isn't it 
time for the children to be home? 

Mrs. Mulligan {goes to door at R.). It is that. 
(Looks out.) And here they come now. 

(The children are heard outside at R., singing to 
the tune of "Marching Through Georgia.") 

The Mulligans are coming now, as happy as 

can be, 
We've been to the Sunday School and saw the 

Christmas tree, 
Had a lark with Santa Claus and take a tip 

from me, 
We'll all be marching on Christmas ! 

(They march in from R., come down to front and 
line up.) 

Hurrah, hurrah, the Mulligans are here, 
Hurrah, hurrah, for Santa Claus so dear, 

Sure, it was a happy night, 

The best one in the year, 
And we'll be marching on Christmas ! 

Patsy got a trumpet, little Micky got a drum, 
Matsy got a spinning top, you ought to hear 
it hum, 

113 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Clarissa got a candy cane, oh, won't we have 
the fun, 
When we are marching on Christmas ! 

Hurrah, hurrah, the Mulligans are here, 
Hurrah, hurrah, for Santa Claus so dear, 

Sure, it was a happy night, 

The best one in the year. 
And we'll be marching on Christmas. 

Nora got a picture-book, Melissa got a rake, 
Every Mulligan on deck got oranges and cake, 
Got a bag of candy, too — and got the stomach- 
ache, 
But we'll be marching on Christmas. 

Hurrah, hurrah, the Mulligans are here, 
Hurrah, hurrah, for Santa Claus so dear, 

Sure, it was a happy night, 

The best one in the year. 
And we'll be marching on Christmas. 

{They march around stage while singing the 
chorus, but line up in front while singing the verses. 
Use gestures to indicate the different persons and 
their toys.) 

Mrs. Mulligan. And did ye have a good time at 
the entertainment? 

Bridget. Indade and we did that. It was as 
good as a circus parade and a picture show together. 
They treated us just lovely. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Did they now? And you wasn't 
invited at all, at all. 

Matsy. They gave us a seat way up in front, 
and Micky Machree acted like a pig, he did. Sure, 
he grabbed two oranges. 

114 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 

Mrs. Mulligan. Why, Micky, it's ashamed of 
ye I am. 

Micky. I grabbed one to bring home to you, maw. 
I wanted you to have some of the Christmas present, 
too. 

Mrs. Mulligan {hugs him). That's just like 
your father, Micky. 

Mrs. O'Toole {helping children of with hats, 
wraps, etc.). And did ye have a good time, wee 
Peter Pan? 

Peter Pan. Scwumptious, just scwumptious. 

Mary Ann. And me sash niver busted in two at 
all. And I was one of the most stylish young ladies 
present, so I was. 

Melissa. And they had a great, big Christmas 
tree. Clean up to the ceiling. With lights and 
toys and candy and little stars and bright fairies 
and angels and everything. 

Patsy. And ould Santy Claus was there with a 
long white beard and a big pack of presents to every- 
one. 

Clarissa. And I pulled Santa Claus' whiskers 
and they nearly fell off. He must be getting pretty 
old, 'cause -his whiskers is coming loose. 

Bridget. And Santy Claus called out all the 
names and everybody got up when their names was 
called and he gave 'em a present. 

Micky. And they never called our names at all, 
at all. 

Mrs. Mulligan. That's because they didn't 
know them. They didn't expect you at the party. 

Mary Ann. It was a surprise party, maw. 

Mrs. Mulligan. How was it a surprise party, 
Mary Ann? 

115 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Mary Ann. They all looked surprised when we 
came in. 

Nora. When I saw they weren't going to call 
out our names, I just rose up in me seat and took 
the whole nine of 'em by the hand and marched right 
up to Santa Claus. He looked real surprised at the 
bunch of us. 

Mrs. Mulligan. I should think he would. 

Nora. "And who are you?" says he. "We're 
the ten little Mulligans from Mulligan Alley in 
Shantytown," says I, as cool as an icicle. "And 
we're ready for our presents, if it's all the same to 
you," says I. I thought they was going to fire 
us out, but what did he do but dive way down in the 
bottom of the sack and give every last one of us a 
present ? 

Teddy. And then he gave us bags of candy and 
oranges and apples and peanuts arid popcorn and a 
candy cane, and then they had a show and Bridget 
Honora spoke a piece, she did. 

Mrs. O'Toole. How did ye happen to spake a 
piece, Bridget Honora? 

Bridget. I just stood up and told 'em I knowed 
one. There ain't nuthin' bashful about me. And I 
kind o' thought we ought to do something to help 
pay fer the good things they gave us. 

Mrs. Mulligan {petting her). That's me good 
little Bridget Honora. 

Melissa {sees doll on table). Oh, wee! Lookee 
there! Where'd she come from? 

Mrs. O'Toole. Santa Claus was after being here 
while you were away and he left it for you. 

Melissa. Is it all for me? 

116 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 

Mrs. Mulligan. It's the Mulligan dolly. It's 
fer all ten of yeez. 

Patsy. She can have my share. I don't want no 
dolls. 

Micky. Oh, look at the- efulunt. Look at the 
efulunt. 

Mrs. O'Toole. That is Mumbo Jumbo Mulli- 
gan from the sunny shores of Africa, way down in 
Louisiana. 

Children. Who's he fur? Who's he fur? 

Peter Pan (takes elephant). He's fur me. 
Scwumptious ! 

Teddy. Maw, they had a show there at the Sun- 
day School. There was a wee little man, about so 
long (measures about two feet), and he stood up on 
a table and sang a song, so he did. 

Patsy. Humph! I know how they did that. 
Matsy and me can show it to you. 

Melissa. And they had the Turnover Topsy 
Turvies, too. 

Clarissa. They stood upside down on their 
heads. 

Mrs. Mulligan. My, my — but it must have been 
a wonderful show. 

Mrs. O'Toole. Just think what we missed, Mol- 
lie Mulligan. 

Matsy. I didn't miss nothin'. I never miss 
nothin' no time. 

Nora. We could give just as good a show our 
own selves. 

Others. Let's do it ; let's do it. Let's give a show 
for maw and Mis' O'Toole. 

Teddy. Would you like to see it, maw? 

Mrs. Mulligan. If it ain't too late. 

117 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Mrs. O'Toole. What matters it how late it is? 
Christmas comes but once a year — 

All. And when it comes it brings good cheer. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Then sure we'll have the show. 
Poor folks can be just 'as happy on Christmas Day 
as rich folks. It's all in the way you feel about it. 

Patsy. Now, maw, you and Mrs. O'Toole take 
your seats out there in front. (Points to front row 
of the audience.) 

Matsy. I'll help you carry them out. (They 
carry down two chairs from the stage and seat Mrs. 
Mulligan and Mrs. O'Toole in the audience.) 

Patsy. Now, we'll have to draw the curtain to 
get the stage ready. 

Nora. And while we're getting ready Mary Ann 
can say her piece. 

Curtain Falls. 

Mrs. Mulligan (in audience). My, my, Kath- 
leen, what a large crowd of people are here tonight. 
I'm afraid I'm not dressed up for the occasion. 

Mrs. O'Toole. Dressed up, is it? Indade you 
are. Ye have on short sleeves and a low-neck dress. 
What more would ye want? There's the minister 
and his wife setting right back there. (Speaks to 

them.) Good avening, Brother ; sure, it's a fine 

avening we're having, is it not? 

Mrs. Mulligan (speaks to a lady in audience). 

My, my, is it yourself, Mrs. ? Sure, I'm glad 

to see ye out. It's a long time since I've had the 
pleasure of seeing you. (Speaks to several chil- 
dren.) And there's and and . I'm 

glad to see all of yeez. Sure, some day yeez must 
come over to me house in Mulligan Alley and I'll let 
you play with the goat, Shamus O'Brien. 

118 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 

Mrs. O'Toole. I see the young ladies over there, 
and each one of them has a young man. My, my, 
it does me ould heart good to see the young folks 
enjoying themselves. It ain't so many years since 
me and Pat was courting each other just like the 
rest of yeez. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Mrs. O'Toole, dc you see that 
young man sitting there all by his lonesome? Ain't 
it a shame? And him such a good looking young 
feller, too. I've a good notion to go over there and 
cheer him up a bit. Maybe his girl is here with 
another fellow. 

Mrs. O'Toole. Sure, there's plenty of girls here 
without any fellows at all, at all. Why should a 
young man sit all alone like a bump on a log, whin 
there's so many handsome colleens waiting for the 
chance at him? 

Mrs. Mulligan. Whist, Mrs. O'Toole, it's mak- 
ing him embarrassed yeez are. Will you look at the 
red color in his face? 

Mrs. O'Toole. If ye ask me my opinion, Mollie 
Mulligan, sure and I think he's after waiting fer one 
of yer own lovely daughters. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Well, he might go further and 
fare worse. Nora Eudora's a fine girl, if I do say 
it myself. 

Mrs. O'Toole. Whist, here comes Mary Ann 
out in 'front of the curtain to spake her piece. 

(Mary Ann comes in front of the curtain, makes 
a bow and recites:) 

letter, to santa claus. 
Blessed old Santa Claus, king of delights, 
What are you doing these long winter nights? 

119 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Filling your budgets with trinkets and toys, 
Wonderful gifts for the girls and the boys. 
While you are planning for everything nice, 
Pray let me give you a bit of advice. 

Don't take it hard if I say in your ear, 
Santa, I thought you were partial last year; 
Loading the rich folks with everything gay, 
Snubbing the poor ones who came in your way. 
Now of all times of the year I am sure 
This is the time to remember the poor. 

Plenty of children there are in our city, 
Who have no fathers or mothers to pity; 
Plenty of people whose working and heeding 
Scarcely can keep all their dear ones from needing. 
Now, if I came every year in December, 
These are the ones I would surely remember. 

Once on a beautiful Christmas you know 

Jesus our Saviour was born here below, 

Patiently stooping to hunger and pain, 

So He might save us, His lost ones, from shame; 

Now if we love Him, He bids us to feed 

All His poor brothers and sisters who need. 

Blessed old Nick ! I was sure if you knew it, 

You would remember and certainly do it; 

This year, at least, when you empty your pack, 

Pray give a portion to all who may lack. 

Then, if there's anything left and you can 

Bring a small gift to wee Peter Pan. 

-—Emily H. Miller. — Adapted. 
120 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 

Mrs. O'Toole {applauding vigorously). Wasn't 
that dandy? Sure, little Mary Ann has a wonderful 
education, so she has! 

Mrs. Mulligan. She takes after her own mother. 
I was just like her when I was that age. 

Mrs. O'Toole. And you're just like her still, 
Mollie Mulligan. Sure you're the sunshine of Mul- 
ligan Alley and the belle of Shantytown. 

Mrs. Mulligan. Whist now! It's covered I am 
wid blushes. But, hush ! I think the show is about 
to begin. 

Act III. 

Curtain rises dislosing the same scene. Three long 
sheets hang on the line, reaching down to the -floor 
and extending clear across the stage. The children 
are behind the sheets. The line is about three and 
one-half feet high. The table sets obliquely in front 
of the door at R. It is covered with a sheet or long 
cloth reaching to the ground. Patsy and Teddy 
form the dwarf. Patsy, coatless, has a long pair of 
striped stockings on over his arms, and a pair of 
shoes on his hands, ornamented on insteps with large 
rosettes. Teddy stands behind him and thrusts his 
arms as far as they will go under Patsy's armpits. 
A kind of a tunic covers both. Wear a large crimped 
frill or an enormous turned-down collar. 

Patsy stands behind table and places his shoe-clad 
hands upon it, which represent the feet of the dwarf. 
The door curtains are fastened together a few inches 
above his head, concealing Teddy. 

121 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Patsy must lean slightly over the table or the legs 
will not appear to support the body. 

When the curtain is up, enter Matsy from L. 
dressed as a Showman. 

Matsy {bows to audience, speaks in a loud voice, 
using megaphone). 

Come and see Jumbo, Samson symbolical! 
Come and see Slivers, Clown really comical! 
Come and see Zip, the foremost of freaks ! 
Come and see Palestine's Sinister Sheiks ! 
Eager Equestriennes, each unexcelled, 
Most mammoth menagerie ever beheld, 
The Giant, the Fat Girl, the Lion-faced Man, 
Aerial Artists from far-off Japan, 
Audacious Acrobats shot from a gun, 
Don't miss the greatest show under the sun! 

Now, if you will kindly lend me your ears for a 
moment, I will fill them free of charge with a few 
words concerning the world's greatest assortment of 
marvelous monstrosities. In the first cell we have 
Senor Macaroni Spaghetti from the land of the 
banana. The senor is thirty-nine inches high, and, 
strangely enough, thirty-nine years old, to say 
nothing of the fact that he weighs thirty-nine 
pounds. (Patsy scratches his nose with his foot.) 
He arrived last week by parcel post to join our 
circus. The senor is looking for a wife. Oh, you 
needn't laugh ! It's true. Some of you near-sighted 
ladies should have brought magnifying glasses, for 
Senor Macaroni Spaghetti is the smallest speck of 
humanity that ever lived in captivity. He stands 

122 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 

on a silver dollar and puts his hand in a thimble. 
(Teddy makes funny gestures during this entire 
speech.) The senor will now entertain you in his 
entertaining way. 
Patsy (sings). 

SPAGHETTI FROM OLD ITALY. 

(Music on page 107) 

Me name is Spaghetti, I came o'er the sea, 
To visit this land from old Italy, 
I have a small monkey, he jumps with a string, 
And if he was here to you he would sing : 
(Dances.) Tee-oodle, dum-doodle, dum-doodle, 
dum day! 

(Repeat until end.) 

I once fell in love with the sweet Antoinette, 
. She say she will marry the little Spaghett, 
But she said she no like-a a hand-organ man, 
So I stand on the corner and sell-a banan. 
(Dances.) Tee-oodle, dum-doodle, dum-doodle, 
dum day ! 

(Repeat until end.) 

I wed Antoinetta and live in a flat, 
I buy-a fine clothes and a big silk-a hat, 
I make-a much money and this little gent, 
He maybe some day will be big President. 
(Dances.) Tee-oodle, dum-doodle, dum-doodle, 
dum day! 

(Repeat until end.) 

Matsy. And now, ladies and gentlemen, I'll call 
your attention to the seven little Sunbonnet babies. 
Behold them, them famous Mulligan twins. (Exits 
L.) 

123 



Merry Christmas Plays 



The heads of Nora, Micky, Bridget, Mary Ann. 
Melissa, Clarissa and Peter appear above the 
sheets at rear. Each wears a large suribonnet. They 
sing to the tune "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp!" 

Little Mulligans are we, and our hearts are 

light and free, 
For it's Christmas Eve and soon we'll be 

in bed, 
We're peculiar little folks, full of jollity and 

jokes, 
And you ought to see us stand upon our head! 

Tramp, tramp, tramp, we'll soon be 

marching, 
We are going off to bed, 
But before we leave you now, 
Each of us will show you how 
Little Mulligan can stand upon her head. 

(All disappear under sheet. They repeat chorus 
and hold up their arms above the sheet. The arms 
are covered with stockings and shoes are on their 
hands. They slap hands together, making feet 
dance, etc.) 

Tramp, tramp, tramp, we'll soon be 

marching, 
We are going off to bed, 
But before we leave you now, 
Each of us will show you how 
Little Mulligan can stand upon her head. 

(Repeat.) 

Mrs. Mulligan (from audience). Nora! Bridget! 
Mary Ann ! What do ye mane ! You'll kill your- 
selves entirely. (Rushes to the stage, followed by 

124 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 

Mrs. O'Toole.) If you stand on your head like 
that, all your brains will rush down into your fate. 

Nora {head above curtain). That's the way they 
did in the show. {All come out on stage.) 

Mrs. O'Toole. Well, well, well, wonders will 
never cease. Sure, I niver spint such a fine Christ- 
mas Eve in all me life ^before. 

Mrs. Mulligan {stands C. facing audience, sur- 
rounded by the ten children.) Sure, I think we've 
had a fine .Christmas celebration, don't you? And 
before ye go let this sink down deep in your hearts 
and minds — it doesn't take money and fine clothes 
and costly gifts to make a fine Christmas at all, at 
all. All it takes is loving hearts and loving hands, 
and merry faces of happy boys and girls. We didn't 
have any money — but you see what a lovely time 
we've had — and it's all because the spirit of Christ- 
mas was in our hearts — and the spirit of Christmas 
means love, and love is the greatest thing in all the 
world. Merry Christmas to all of yeez, and may 
ye never regret the time you spent Christmas Eve 
with the ten little Mulligans. 

Curtain. 
NOTES TO THE MANAGER. 

WHERE THE MULLIGANS LIVED. 

The scenery is very simple or may be dispensed 
with entirely. Entrances R. and L. and a window 
at the rear are necessary. An old table stands in 
front of the window, and a larger table, also old, 
stands down R. Several soap boxes are down L. 
and these with an upturned bucket serve as seats for 
the Mulligans. 

An old rag carpet covers the floor. A wash-tub, 

125 



Merry Christmas Plays 



with wash-board, clothes, etc., stand at C. Two 
rickety chairs are on the stage, one R. C. and one 
L. C, the latter a rocking-chair. The larger table 
is covered with a well worn red cloth and supports 
an old-fashioned lighted lamp. 

Several tin cans, filled with bright flowers, stand 
on the table in front of the window. Curtains or 
bed comforts are draped over the door at R. An old 
sofa stands up L. Colored prints adorn the walls. 

A clothes line runs across the stage at rear. On 
this line several garments are drying, bright stock- 
ings, a union suit, red flannels, etc. Remember the 
scene is laid in Mulligan Alley and the stage must 
be arranged according to Mulligan taste. 

WHAT THE MULLIGANS WORE. 

Mrs. Mulligan — Powdered hair, parted in mid- 
dle and combed over ears, somewhat unkempt. Well 
worn, old-fashioned cloth waist, with sleeves rolled 
up and open in the neck. Skirt of contrasting color. 
The skirt is turned up, showing flannel petticoat. 
Unstarched and rather soiled dark gingham apron, 
of ample proportions, but without bib. Hair twisted 
in knob at the back of head. Large, old shoes. 

Matsy and Patsy — Long, tattered trousers, old 
suspenders, large, well worn shoes, calico shirts, torn 
and patched. Bright calico neckties. Caps. In 
Act III Matsy wears a large black mustache, a long 
black coat, much too large, ' and a stiff hat three 
sizes too big, while Patsy wears the dwarf's tunic 
and has his face made up yellow, with rouge on 
cheeks. 

Teddy and Micky — Short trousers, well worn and 
patched. Striped stockings. Old shirts. 

Nora and Bridget — Ankle skirts, waists of a dif- 

126 



Christmas with the Mulligan's 

ferent color. Bright calico bows. Large hair rib- 
bons. 

Mary Ann, Melissa and Clarissa — Short skirts. 
Striped stockings. Old shoes. Funny hats and 
waists. 

Peter Pan — Calico slip. Baby's hat. 

Mrs. O'Toole — Old-fashioned walking dress of 
bright colors. Shawl and little bonnet. Red wig, if 
desired. 



127 



THE WISHING MAN 




130 



THE WISHING MAN 

A CHRISTMAS WHIMSY FOR SWEETE CHARITIE. 
IN THREE SHORT ACTS. 

As presented by Class No. 10, Wesley Chapel, 
Columbus, Ohio. Re-written from memory. 

CHARACTERS. 

The Wishing Man Young Man 

The Roly-Poly Dumpling Stout Young Man 

The Attenuated Tootsy .Tall, Thin Young Man 

The Enlarged Snookums Young Man 

Grandpa Green Boy of Fourteen or Fifteen 

Grandma Green Plump Girl of same age 

Father Fritz Boy of about Fourteen 

Mother Fritz Girl of about Fifteen 

Nurse Maid Girl of about Thirteen 

Dumpling Boy of Eight 

Tootsy Girl of Seven or Eight 

Snookums Boy of Six or under 

Ka-zin-ski Tall Boy 

Teddy Bear Small Boy 

Jimmie Bear Small Boy 

Baby Jumbo Made of Two Larger Boys 

Annette Little Girl 

Babette Little Girl 

Olivette Little Girl 

Private Black • Little Boy 

Private Jack Little Boy 

Private Mack Little Boy 

Jim Dandy, a Stick of Candy Little Boy 

Time of Playing — About Forty-five Minutes. 

For description of costumes, scenery, etc., see 
"Remarks on Production" at the end of the play. 

131 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Act I. 

Scene : A room in Father Fritz's house. Doors 
at R. and L. Small table down L. with three chairs 
around it. Sofa down R. Easy chair down C. 
Lighted lamp on table. Window at rear. Dumpling 
is seated on a rocking-horse at rear C. Grandpa 
stands by him helping him rock it. Tootsy is on a 
rocking-horse at L. front, with Father and Mother 
helping her rock it. Snookums is on a baby rock- 
ing-horse at R. front, with Grandma and Nurse 
Maid in attendance. Very little furniture on stage. 
If the rocking-horses are not easy to get, Dumpling 
and Tootsy may be astride of sticks with horses 9 
heads. 

Curtain rises to bright music. 
All (sing). 



HOP, HOP, HOP! 



t^ 



S 






-4-*- 



s=i 



v 



* 



1. Hop, hop, hop! Nim-ble as a top, Where 'tis smooth and 

2. Whoa, whoa, whoa! How like fun you go! Ver-y well, my 

3. Here, here, here! Yes, my po - ny dear; Now with oats and 



gtrfE^ 




\=* H^N 


l-P-^-S— ?— g- 


LS . i_y_ 


L ^' v ' ' 



where 'tis sto - ny, Trudge a - long, my lit - tie po - ny, 
lit - tie po - ny, Safe's our jaunt tho' rough and sto - ny, 
hay I'll treat you, And with smiles will ev - er greet you, 



132 



The Wishing Man 



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V 

Hop, hop, hop, hop, hop! Nim-ble as a top. 
Spare, spare, spare, spare, spare ! Sure e - nough we're there. 
Po - ny, po - ny dear! Yes, my po - ny dear. 

Dumpling (dismounting). Whoa, there, Jimmie ! 
Oh, Grandpa, I do love my pony. It's the best of 
all my presents. 

Grandpa. Well, it's time you put him in his 
stall. 

Tootsy (dismounting). I'm going to call my 

pony after Mr. . (Insert the name of some 

zvell known man.) 'Cause he looks just like him. 

Grandma (helping Snookums from pony). And 
what are you going to call your pony, Snookums? 

Snookums. Going to call him Elizabeth, after 
you, Grandma. 

Grandma (kisses her). That's my baby! 

Mother. Grandma, we'd better get our hats and 
coats. It's nearly time for the car to be after us. 

Father. Come, Grandpa. It's nearly eight 
o'clock. 

Grandpa. But I don't like. to leave the children. 

Dumpling. And we don't like to have you leave 
us, either. My, this has been the grandest Christ- 
mas day I've ever seen. 

Mother. Come, Grandma. (Exits L. with 
Grandma. ) 

Grandpa. Come, children. (They gather around 
him.) I'm glad you've had such a happy Christmas. 
You got everything you wanted, didn't you? 

Tootsy. Yes, everything. My, I wish Christmas 
would come every day. 

133 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Dumpling. Tell us the story about old Saint 
Nick, Grandpa. 

Grandpa. Do you want to hear that old chestnut 
again ? 

Children. Oh, yes, yes ! 

Grandpa (takes Snookums on his lap, the other 
children stand by his knee.) 

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all 

through the house 
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; 
The stockings were hung by the chimney with 

care, 
In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be 

there. 
The children were nestled all snug in their beds, 
While visions of sugar-plums danced through 

their heads ; 
Grandma in her kerchief and I in my cap, 
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's 

nap, — 
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, 
I sprang from my bed to see what was the 

matter. 
Away to the window I flew like a flash, 
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. 

When what to my wondering eyes would appear 
But a wee little sleigh and eight little reindeer, 
W T ith a wee little driver, so lively and quick, 
I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick. 
More rapid than eagles his reindeers they came, 
And he whistled and shouted and called them 

by name: 
"Now, Dasher ! Now, Dancer ! Now, Prancer and 

Vixen ! 

184 



The Wishing Man 



On, Comet ! On, Cupid ! On, Donder and 

Blitzen ! 
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall ! 
Now, dash away, dash away, dash away, all." 

So up to the housetop the reindeer they new, 
With a sleigh full of toys, and Saint Nicholas, 

too. 
As I drew in my head and was turning around, 
Down the chimney Saint Nicholas came with a 

bound. 
He was dressed all in red from his head to his 

foot, 
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes 

and soot. 
His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples how 

merry ! 
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry. 
He had a broad face and a little round belly 
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full 

of jelly. 

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head 
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. 
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his 

work 
And filled all the stockings ; then turned with a 

jerk, 
And laying his finger aside of his nose, 
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. 
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a 

whistle, 
And away they all flew like the down of a 

thistle ; 

135 



Merry Christmas Plays 



But I heard him exclaim e'er he drove out of 
sight : 

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good- 
night!" —Clement C. Moore. 

Children. Oh, that was just lovely. 
Tootsy. I just wish I could see him. Just once! 
Dumpling. And so do I. I'm going to catch 
him some Christmas Eve. 
Snookums. Me, too! 

Enter from L., Mother and Grandma, wearing 
winter coats and hats. They carry coats and hats 
for Father and Grandpa. 

Mother. Here, Grandpa, put on your coat and 
hat, or we'll be late for the dinner. (Helps him.) 

Grandpa. I'd rather stay here and talk to the 
children. 

Father (putting on his coat). But Aunt Clara 
is expecting us. 

Grandma. And the auto is at the door. 

Grandpa. Dumpling, are you sure you got every- 
thing you wanted for Christmas? 

Dumpling. I can't think of anything else. 

Grandpa. If you didn't, and if all three of you 
children can agree on anything else, it shall be yours 
if money can buy it. 

Tootsy. Money can buy everything, can't it, 
Grandpa ? 

Grandpa. No, my dear, not quite everything. 

Dumpling. But suppose we wish for something 
that money can't buy? 

Grandpa. I'd try to get it for you some other 
way. 

Tootsy. How, Grandpa; how? 

136 



The Wishing Man 



Grandpa. Why, I'd tell the Wishing Man. He'd 
get it for you. 

Grandma. Come along, John ; don't put such 
nonsense in the children's heads. 

Father. We must hurry along to Aunt Clara's, 
children. But this is Christmas night. You may all 
stay up tonight just as long as you wish. 

Dumpling. Oh, can we? Can we? 

Mother. Yes. Cecelia will look after you. 
Cecelia ? 

Nurse Maid. Of course I will, mum. 

Mother. Come along, now. We must hurry. 
(Kisses the children and goes out R. with Grandma, 
Grandpa and Father.) 

Tootsy (dancing around). Oh, we can stay up 
just as long as we wish! Goody, goody! Why that 
is the very best gift of all. 

Nurse Maid. Now you children be good, and if 
you want me, call out. I'll be down in the kitchen 
with the cook. (Goes out at L.) 

Dumpling. Now we're left all alone. 

Tootsy. I don't see why Aunt Clara couldn't 
have invited us to her dinner party, too. 

Snookums (playing with doll). Snookums likes 
dinner party. 

Dumpling. It's 'cause we ain't big enough. 

Tootsy. My, I wisht I was a great, great, great 
big girl. 

Dumpling. There, that's a wish that money 
can't buy. 

Tootsy. Grandpa said he'd get us anything we 
wished for. 

Dumpling. What do you wish, Snookums? 

Snookums. Wish Grandpaw would come home. 

137 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Tootsy. I know a real good wish. I wish it were 
Christmas every day. Don't you, Dumpling? 

Dumpling. No, I don't. We'd have to have a 
present and a tree and a turkey and plum pudding 
every day of our lives. We'd get awfully tired of it 
after a while. Just think, we'd have to give away 
about a million presents every year. 

Tootsy. I'll tell you what I really do wish. 

Dumpling. What? 

Tootsy. I wish we could do just like grown up 
folks do. I wish I was the biggest little girl in all 
the world. 

Dumpling. And I wish so, too. I wish we were 
just awfully, awfully, awfully big — and then we 
could go to Aunt Clara's dinner party, and every- 
where. 

Snookums. Me wish me was great big Snookums. 

Tootsy. But money couldn't buy that wish, 
Dumpling. 

Dumpling. No, that's right. But Grandpa said 
if he couldn't buy our wish he'd get it some other 
way. 

Tootsy. How could he get it? 

Dumpling. He said he'd tell the Wishing Man. 

Tootsy. My, I wonder if there really is such a 
person ! 

Dumpling. I don't know. But I'd like to see 
him if there is. 

Tootsy. I'll make a rhyme. 

Good Mr. Wishing Man, how do you do? 

If there is such a person, we'd like to see you! 

Dumpling. 

If you come from afar, if you come from near, 
Good Mr. Wishing Man, appear, appear! 

138 



The Wishing Man 



The Wishing Man rolls out from under the table, 
rises, faces the three children, arms akimbo. 

Wishing Man {after a pause, drawls). Well? 

Dumpling and Tootsy {frightened, down R.). 
Well? {They look at each other, pause, then re- 
peat.) Well! 

Snookums {comes in front of them, stands facing 
the Wishing Man, arms akimbo). Well? 

Wishing Man. Well, I'm here. 

Dumpling. Who's here? 

Wishing Man. Why, J am here. You said you 
would like to see me and so I have come. Vm here. 

Tootsy. Are you the Wishing Man? 

Wishing Man. That's my name. {Sings to the 
tune of "Wearing of the Green." He sings briskly, 
shaking head in time and dancing a step or two.) 

I'm the friend of all the children, 

And I'll help you if I can, 
Just tell me what your wishes are, 

For I'm the Wishing Man. 
I have wishbones on my fingers, 

I have myst'ry in my eyes, 
My clothes are trimmed with horseshoes, 

And they're stained with magic dyes. 
My pocket's full of rabbits' feet, 

And clover leaves and charms, 
For luck I've got a big black cat 

All tattooed on my arms, 
I'm a friend of all the children, 

And I'll help you if I can, 
So tell me what your wishes are — 

For I'm the Wishing Man. 

139 



Merry Christmas Plays 



I come from a distant country 

Away up near the pole, 
But the things that I am telling you, 

You mustn't tell a soul. 
I know every witch and goblin, 

And if you would believe! 
I have fortunes in my pocket-book, 

And wonders up my sleeve. 
When any little boy or girl 

Says, "Wishing Man, appear!" 
I jump right up from underneath, 

And here I am, my dear! 
I'm a friend of all the children, 

And I'll help you if I can, 
So tell me what your wishes are — 

For I'm the Wishing Man. 

Dumpling. And can you really grant us any- 
thing we wish for? 

Wishing Man. I can, if it's a good wish — and if 
you all agree on the same thing. 

Tootsy. Anything in the wide, wide world? 

Wishing Man. Well, pretty nearly anything. 
Would you like some new toys? 

Tootsy. Oh, no, thank you. This is Christmas, 
you know, and we got ever so many toys. 

Snookums. Ever so many toys. 

Wishing Man. I don't see what you called me 
for. You seem to have everything you want. 

Dumpling. Oh, no, we haven't. We've made a 
wish, and we're all agreed on it. 

Wishing Man. Are you sure it's a good wish? 

Dumpling. Oh, yes, it's an awful good wish. 
You see, we want to be great big children so we can 
stay up late at night and go to Aunt Clara's dinner 

140 



The Wishing Man 



parties. That's our wish. We want to be the big- 
gest children there are anywhere. 

Wishing Man (laughs heartily). Oh, ho, ho, ho! 
That's the funniest wish I ever heard since I've been 
in the wishing business. So you want to be the very 
biggest children there are anywhere, do you? 

Tootsy. Yes, sir; that's just what we want. I 
want to be a great, big, tall little girl. 

Wishing Man (laughing). A great, big tall 
little girl, hey? 

Dumpling. And I want to be a great, big, big, 
big little boy. 

Wishing Man. Oh, a big, big, big little boy, 
hey? 

Snookums. And so do I. 

Wishing Man. And so do you, hey? 

Children. Yes, sir; that is our wish. 

Wishing Man. Well, I'll have to see if I can 
accommodate you. It's a pretty big job, you know. 

Tootsy. You said you could give us anything 
we wished for. 

Wishing Man. But I didn't think you'd wish for 
anything like that. 

Dumpling. That's the only thing we want, Mr 
Wishing Man. 

Wishing Man (rubbing his chin and speaking 
thoughtfully) . Well, now — let me see. I'm afraid 
it's too big a job for me. In the first place I haven't 
any marble. 

Children. Marble? 

Wishing Man. Yes. In order to make you grow 
and grow and grow, you'll have to stand on marble. 

Tootsy. We have a marble-top table in the front 
hall. 



141 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Dumpling. Oh, yes. And we can all stand on 
top of the table. 

Wishing Man. But I have to stand here by the 
open window. 

Tootsy. Well, we can go in there and leave the 
door open. You can stay here and make our wish 
come true. Come on, Dumpling. 

Wishing Man. Wait a minute, wait . a minute. 
Are you all of you sure you want to be made into 
great big, big little children? 

Children. Yes, all of us. 

Wishing Man. All right. If that's your wish, 
it's no business of mine. Go out in the front hall and 
climb on the marble-top table and I'll see what I can 
do for you. 

Tootsy. Oh, come on, quick, Dumpling, before 
he changes his mind. (Runs out R. •with Dumpling 
and Snookums, the latter taking very long strides.) 

Wishing Man. It's a very foolish wish, but 
maybe they'll be satisfied if I make them the biggest 
children on earth. (Throws bach curtains at the 
window.) I'll see what I can do. 

Dumpling (outside). I'm standing up on the 
table now. 

Wishing Man. 

Hickety, kickety, setting sun, 

(Making mysterious passes.) 
Thunder, lightning, flash of a gun ! 
Let him grow bigger, it won't be much fun ; 
Hickety, kickety, number one ! 

(Lights flash out, then on again, then out. Low 
rumbles of thunder heard. Lights on again, then 
off. Loud crash outside.) 

Tootsy. Xow it's mv turn. I'm on the table. 



142 



The Wishing Man 



Wishing Man. 

Witchery, twitchery, kangaroo, 
Thunder and lightning, Kalamazoo ! 
Lengthen her, strengthen her, rip, bazoo, 
Make her a giantess, number two ! 
(Lightning and thunder as before.) 
Snookums (outside). Now, Mr. Wishing Man, 
I'm on the table. 

Wishing Man. That's the Baby Snookums. 
Very well, little Snookie Ookums ! I'll change you 
into the biggest baby on earth. 

Rumpety, thumpety, Kankakee, 
Lengthen him out to six foot three ! 
The biggest baby we ever did see, 
Rumpety, thumpety, number three! 
(Same noises as before, only louder.) 

Enter Nurse Maid from L. 

Nurse Maid, Goodness, gracious ! Is it a tor- 
nado or an earthquake? (Sees Wishing Man.) 
Oh! (Screams loudly.) And who are you? Murder! 
Thieves! Robbers! Where's me children? Where's 
little Dumpling and Tootsy and Baby Snookums? 
(Fast, loud music.) 

Wishing Man (yells). Where are your children? 

Enter Big Dumpling, Big Tootsy and Big 
Snookums. They join hands and dance around 
at R. 

Wishing Man. There they are. There are little 
Dumpling and Tootsy and Baby Snookums. 

(Nurse Maid looks at children, screams loudly, 
throws up her arms and faints in a chair at L. of 
stage. Wishing Man stands at C. with arms akimbo, 

143 



Merry Christmas Plays 



laughing at her. The three big children dance in a 

circle at R.) ~ 

' Curtain. 

Act II. 

Scene: No scene at all. The action takes place 
in front of the closed curtains. Note: During this 
act the managers should be arranging the stage for 
the next act. 

The children who are present in the audience 
should be given seats down in front. At this point 
they rise and go upon the stage in front of the cur- 
tain and sing, accompanied by a chorus of older 
children behind the scenes. An adult leader may 
appear with the children. All sing, marching around 
platform and acting out the song: 



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144 



The Wishing Man 



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145 



Merry Christmas Plays 



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*They all twirl around. 

(The music continues softly as they resume their 
seats in the audience. After a pause the Wishing 
Man sticks his head out from the curtains. He takes 
one step in front, bows, then skips down to front 
and bows again.) 

Wishing Man. Hello, little boys and girls, how 
do you do this fine winter night? I know what each 
of you has been thinking. You've been wishing that 
you could meet the Wishing Man and that he would 
make your wishes come true. Now, haven't you? 
Well, I've made that wish come true. You wished 
to meet me, and here I am. I've been watching you 
all the year in Sunday School. I know how you 
have worked over your lessons, how you have helped 
your teachers and how punctual you have been. To 
be sure, I know some of you haven't helped your 
teachers as much as you could have done, but I'll 

146 



The Wishing Man 



forget all that at Christmas time. Now tell me what 
you wish for most. 

Children (in audience who have previously re- 
hearsed this scene). A Christmas tree. A look at 
old Santa Claus. Some nice Christmas presents, 
etc. 

Wishing Man. Stop, stop. I can't attend to so 
many wishes at once. 

Little Girl (rising). Please, Mr. Wishing Man, 
couldn't you tell us what we'd better wish for? 

Wishing Man. Have you ever had a great, big 
Christmas tree? 

Children. Oh, yes, lots of times. 

Wishing Man. Have you ever seen my old friend, 
Mr. Santa Claus ? 

Children. Oh, yes. 

Little Boy. We see him every year at Christ- 
mas. 

Wishing Man. How would like to go with me to 
Wishing Land. 

Children. Oh, goody! (Clapping hands.) That 
would be fine. Can you take us there? 

Wishing Man. Of course I can. And that's just 
what we'll do. We'll all of us go to the Wishing 
Land. First, I'll call little Dumpling. Dumpling, 
little Dumpling, where are you? 

Big Dumpling comes in from behind the curtains. 

Big D. Here I am, Mr. Wishing Man. I was 
playing with my little horse and wagon. (He plays 
with tiny horse and wagon.) 

Wishing Man. And how do you like being a 
great, big Dumpling? 

Big D. Well, not very well. I'm always bump- 

147 



Merry Christmas Plays 



ing my head on the doors and things. And all my 
toys are so very little I'm always breaking them. 

Wishing Man. Where is your sister? Where is 
little Tootsy? / 

Big Tootsy enters. 

Big T. Here, Mr. Wishing Man. I'm here. Me 
and my little dolly. 

Wishing Man. Well, little Tootsy, how do you 
like being a great, big Tootsy? 

Big T. I don't like it very well. My clothes 
don't seem to fit, and I know I look awfully funny. 
(To audience.) Don't I? Everybody laughs at me 
and it always makes me cry. (Cries.) 

Wishing Man. And where is little Snookie 
Ookums ? 

Big Snookums enters. 

Big S. Here I am, Mr. Wishing Man. Here's 
'ittie Snookie Ookums. 

Wishing Man. You look like a 'ittie baby ele- 
phant, Snookie Ookums. Well, are you children sat- 
isfied with your wish? 

The Three. Not very much. We wish we were 
little again. 

Big S. (crying). I tried to ride my little horsie 
and I bweaked him all to pieces. 

Big D. And I can't get enough to eat. My little 
knife and fork and spoon are too little, and when I 
eat I swallow dishes and all. (Cries.) 

Big T. And all my clothes are too little for me, 
and I look so funny that everybody laughs at me. 
And I don't like it at all. (Cries.) 

Wishing Man. I'm just going to start on a 
journey to the Wishing Land. The toys there are 

148 



The Wishing Man 



awfully big. They'd be just the right size for you. 
Would you like to go with me? 

Big S. Is it very far? 

Big D. Could we get back by bedtime? 

Big T. Wouldn't it be awfully cold flying 
through the air? 

Wishing Man. Oh, no. We'd fly so fast you'd 
only have time to shiver once and then we'd be right 
there. 

The Three. Oh, yes ; let's go. 

Wishing Man. All right. Now all of you part 
your hair right in the middle, so you won't be heavier 
on one side than on the other. {They do so.) That's 
good. Now give me your hands and hold on tight 
and we're off to the Wishing Land. Follow me, full 
of glee. 

{All sing the first verse and chorus of "Follow Me, 
Full of Glee," accompanied by the children in the 
audience. At the end all dance off the stage at R.) 

Act III. 

Scene: The Wishing Land. Green or dark col- 
ored curtains at rear and at sides. Use all the large 
palms and potted trees available. A trumpet vine 
is attached to curtains at the rear. This is made of 
branches pinned on curtain to simulate a vine. Sev- 
eral tin trumpets are tied to the branches and many 
trumpets of various sizes made of pa- 
per. These stick out of the vines 
like blossoms. 

At rear right is a large tree with 
buds made of tissue paper and toy l^f& "j 

drums showing in the buds. See 
diagram. The leaves forming these buds should 

149 




Merry Christmas Plays 



be pointed oval in shape and vary in size as they 
represent buds or open -flowers. The drums hang 
down from the branches and the petals, when open, 
hang open and partly cover them. Another tree 
stands at rear L. This is hung with candy or bits 
of colored paper simulating candy. Candy canes 
are on this tree and Jim Dandy is sleeping at bottom 
of tree. 

At R. about half-way bach are branches arranged 
to look as if growing, and about three feet high, 
hung with balls of various sizes and colors. 

At L. about half-way back are three little girls 
dressed as French dolls. They stand in a row facing 
the audience. At either end of the row is a frame 
to support the cheesecloth curtain that hides them 
from the audience. They must stand stiffly with 
arms held out straight in front of them. 

At L. front are several rows of flower pots or 
boxes containing growing plants with dolls fastened 
among the leaves. These are branches about eighteen 
inches high, with green paper buds partly enveloping 
the dolls. 

At R. front is a large square box (a pasteboard 
cracker box or breakfast food box covered with red 
tissue paper will answer) in which is Ka-zin-ski con- 
cealed by the lid. 

At R. half-way back just in front of the ball-trees 
stand three little boys dressed as toy soldiers. They 
stand erect and do not move. 

Curtain rises to mysterious music played by piano. 
This continues some little time until the audience 
"takes in" the scene. 

After a pause, enter the Wishing Man, followed 
by the three Big Children. 

150 



The Wishing Man 



Wishing Man. Well, here we are in the Wishing 
Land. My kingdom and not a soul to welcome me ! 

Big D. Oh, what a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful 
place. 

Big S. See 'ittie bitsy teeny weeny trumpets 
gwowing in twees. 

Big T. And the dolls. The lovely, lovely dolls. 

Wishing Man {clapping his hands). What, ho! 
Is there none to welcome me? 

Enter Teddy Bear from L. 

Teddy Bear {comes to Wishing Man and bows 
low). 

Big D. Oh, see the Teddy Bear. 

Big T. And he's the biggest one I ever saw. 

Big S. Nice pussy, nice, nice pussy! {Strokes 
Teddy Bear.) 

Teddy Bear {growls). 

Big S. {much frightened). Oh, naughty, naughty, 
naughty ! 

Wishing Man. Hello, Teddy Bear. Where's 
your brother? 

Teddy Bear {shakes head as if he does not know). 

Wishing Man. Go out and find him for me. Have 
you been a very, very good Teddy Bear while I was 
away ? 

Teddy Bear {nods his head). 

Wishing Man. That's good. Now go out and 
find Jimmy Bear. 

Teddy Bear {nods head and ambles out at R.). 

Wishing Man {looking around). Everything is 
growing fine. I think the bicycle trees need a little 
more water. Well, children, what do you think of 
the Wishing Land? 

Big D. It's awfully pretty. 

151 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Big T. It's perfectly gorgeous. 

Big S. Wunnerful, simply wunnerful. 

Wishing Man. Here's where I grow my toys. 
See, there is the trumpet vine, and the candy tree 
and the dolly flowers. Whenever a little child makes 
a wish for anything like that, all I have to do is to 
come in here and pick a toy. See? 

Big D. Oh, lookee at the tin soldiers. They're 
awful big. Can I have one, Mr. Wishing Man? 

Wishing Man. I don't think they're quite ripe 
yet. 

Big S. Me want a twumpet. Want a nice, big 
twumpet to blow. 

Wishing Man (picks a trumpet). There you are, 
my little man. 

Big T. I want one, too. A nice loud one. 

Wishing Man (picks one). And there's one for 
3 r ou, Tootsy. 

Big D. Believe I'll take a drum. 

Wishing Man (picks a drum). There you are. 
Right off the tree. 

Big D. Now we'll have a parade. (They march 
around stage playing trumpets and drums.) 

Wishing Man. Here, here, wait a minute. You're 
making enough noise to wake the dead. Hold on, 
there. Quiet, quiet! 

Big T. Oh, dear! Just as we were having such 
a lovely time. 

Big S. Oh, whee! See the funny box. (Goes to 
Ka-zin-ski's box.) What is in it, Mr. Wishing Man? 

Wishing Man. You'd better let it alone. That's 
Ka-zin-ski, and Ka-zin-ski doesn't like babies. 

Big S. But I wish to see him. 

Wishing Man. Is it a wish? 



152 



The Wishing Man 



Big S. Yes, sir; it's a wish. 

Wishing Man. Then pull the string. 

(Big S. leans over the box, pulls a spring, the lid 
-flies up and Ka-zin-ski pops out almost in the baby's 
face. Big S. screams and falls flat down on the 
stage.) 

Big S. Oh, wheel Take him away! I'm fwight- 
ened, I am. Vill he come after me? 

Wishing Man. No, no. Get up, 'ittie Snookie 
Ookums, he won't hurt you. 

Big D. Say, Mr. Wishing Man? 

Wishing Man. What is it, my little boy? 

Big D. Can we have anything we wish for here 
in the Wishing Land? 

Wishing Man. Of course you can. That's what 
the Wishing Land is for. 

Big D. Then I wish I was a little boy again. 
I'm too big to enjoy myself. 

Big T. And I wish I was a little girl again. 
Everybody laughs at me, 'cause I'm so big. 

Big S. And I wish I was a 'ittie, teeny, weeny 
baby again. Being so big fwightens me so. 

Wishing Man. Oh, ho ! So you all want to be 
little again? 

The Three. Yes, sir, if you please. 

Big T. Why, I'm so big that I can't get all of 
me into bed. I'll have to let my feet hang outside. 

Big S. And if I get in my baby buggy, I'll bweak 
it all down. 

Big D. And my mamma won't recognize me at 
all, 'cause I'm grown so big. 

Wishing Man. That's all very well, but it will 
be quite a job to make you all little again. It will 

153 



Merry Christmas Plays 



take three magic fern seeds, and I don't think I have 
any ripe yet. 

(Music, a march. Teddy Bear dances in in time 
to the music. He goes up to the Wishing Man, 
pulls his head down and whispers something in his 
ear. Then hands him a little box.) 

Big D. Oh, what is it, Mr. Wishing Man? Is it 
the fern seed? 

Wishing Man (looks in the little pill box). Yes, 
but it's only one fern seed. Only one of you can be 
made little again. 

Big D. Give it to my sister, Tootsy. She's a 
girl. 

Big T. No, give it to Dumpling. He's the oldest. 

Wishing Man. I think I'll give it to 'ittie Snoo- 
kie Ookums. Here, Snookums, take that little seed 
and go down by the pump and get a drink of water. 
Put the seed in the water and swallow it and you'll 
be the original 'ittie Snookums again. 

Big S. Oh, goody, goody, goody! (Takes box 
and skips out at R.) 

(Music again, a march. Jimmy Bear dances in, 
whispers to the Wishing Man and gives him a pill 
box.) 

Wishing Man. Here's another fern seed. La- 
dies first, Dumpling. I'll give it to Tootsy. 

Big T. Oh, you dear, good Wishing Man. I'll 
give you a nice hug and kiss for that. (Does so, 
takes box, skips out at R.) 

(Music again. Enter Baby Jumbo, dancing in time 
to the music. Wishing Man bends down and whis- 
pers to the elephant. Jumbo raises one foot, a front 
one, and gives him a pill box.) 

Wishing Man. And here's the third magical 
154 



The Wishing Man 



fern seed. Here you are, Master Dumpling. Hurry 
along and grow little again. 

Big D. Oh, thank you, sir. {Takes box and skips 
out at R.) 

Jumbo and the Two Bears dance out at L. in 
time to the music. 

Wishing Man {goes to the doll bushes). The 
dolly plants don't seem to be doing very well. (Picks 
a doll.) Here's a ripe one. I'm going to give that 
to (insert some little girVs name) for a Christmas 

present. And here's another for . I wonder 

how my big French dolls are doing. They're dread- 
fully hard to raise. They require so much attention. 
I have to keep them under cover to protect them 
from the sun. The wax melts so easily and the pretty 
red cheeks are apt to run down over their pretty 
French dresses. (Removes cover.) How nice they 
look. There's Annette, Olivette and Babette. Three 
as pretty little French ladies as ever came out of 
Paris. I think they're just about ready to pick. 
They're such pretty dollies that I think I'll give 
them to little boys instead of little girls. I'll give 
Annette to (insert little boy's name) and I'll give 

Olivette to , and little Babette I'll give to . 

My, my, I was forgetting all about the children and 
the mysterious fern seed. I wonder if it has changed 
them back into real little children again. (Looks out 
at R.) Yes, here they come. 

Enter from R. Dumpling, Tootsy and Snookums. 

Dumpling. Oh, thank you, Mr. Wishing Man. 
I feel ever so much better now. 

Tootsy. Yes, indeed. My clothes are a perfect 
fit and nobody will laugh at me now. 

155 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Snookttms. I feel perfectly fan-tas-a-ma-gor- 
ious. 

Tootsy. Oh, see the pretty French dollies. I 
wish they would talk to me. 

Wishing Man. If that's your wish, they can. 

Tootsy {presses Annette). Can you talk? 

Annette {imitates talking doll). Pa-pa, pa-pa, 
pa-pa ! 

Tootsy {presses Olivette). And what can you 
say? 

Olivette. Ma-ma, ma-ma, ma-ma ! 

Snookttms {presses Babette). Go on and talk 
to me. 

Babette. Mer-ry Christ-mas ! Mer-ry Christ- 
mas ! 

Tootsy. I wish you could wind them up so they 
could walk around and play with us. 

Wishing Man. Is that your wish? 

Tootsy. Oh, yes. Do you think you can do it? 

Wishing Man. I can try. {Takes large clock 
key and winds each doll. The sound of winding 
should be imitated by a rattle behind the scenes.) 

Annette. Pa-pa, pa-pa, pa-pa! {Walks for- 
ward without bending knees.) 

Dumpling. Here, stop her. She'll fall down. 
{Grabs her.) Here, turn around. Walk this way. 
{Walks with her.) 

Olivette. Ma-ma, ma-ma, ma-ma; {Starts to 
walk.) 

Tootsy {catches her). Oh, I think you are a dar- 
ling. {Walks with her.) 

Babette. Mer-ry Christ-mas ! Mer-ry Christ- 
mas. {Starts to walk.) 

156 



The Wishing Man 



Wishing Man. Here, wait for me. {Takes her 
arm and they walk together.) 

Dumpling. Wind up the soldiers. Then each 
dolly can have a partner. 

Wishing Man. Just a minute. ( Winds up the 
soldiers.) 

{The dolls continue walking around with jerky 
steps.) 

Private Black {as Babette passes him). Allow 
me. {Offers her his arm.) 

Private Jack {as Annette passes him). Allow 
me. {They promenade.) 

Private Mack {as Olivette passes him). Allow 
me. {They promenade.) 

Tootsy {very much excited, runs to Wishing 
Man.) Oh, I wish they were all alive. 

Wishing Man. You do? Is that your wish? 
{She nods.) Then I'll make them all alive. 
Hickety, kickety, bees in a hive, 
Witchery, twichery, you're alive. 

{The dolls and soldiers twirl around and chatter 
merrily in pantomime. Their actions from now on 
are as natural as possible.) 

Snookums {suddenly sees the candy tree). Oh, 
lookee ! Candy ! 

Wishing Man. That's alive, too. (Jim Dandy 
marches down.) Mr. Snookie Ookums, let me intro- 
duce you to Mr. Jim Dandy, a stick of candy. 

Snookums. Would he mind if I'd take a bite out 
of his leg? 

Jim Dandy. You bet he would. I'm alive now. 

Wishing Man {looks off at L.). And here comes 
Teddy Bear and Jimmy Bear. They're alive, too. 
And look at the Baby Elephant. 

157 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Enter Teddy Bear, Jimmy Bear and Baby 
Jumbo. The piano plays a march. All march around 
the stage, first the Wishing Man, then Black and 
Babette, Jack and Annette, Mack and Olivette, 
Jim Dandy and Tootsie, Teddy Bear and Dump- 
ling, then Baby Jumbo with Snookums riding on 
his back, then Jimmy Bear capering in the rear. 
March around several times. A simple folk dance 
may be introduced at this point. All sing two verses 
of "Follow Me, Full of Glee:' 

Curtain. 

REMARKS ON THE PRODUCTION. 

The room was all in shimmering white with a back- 
ground of small pine trees in large wooden pots. 
The floor was covered with white muslin and scat- 
tered with leaves, pine needles and cones. 

In one corner was a giant snow pile, made of a 
frame covered with cotton. This was presided over 
by the Snow Queen and her Maids and white- wrapped 
bundles were on sale for five cents. 

Jack Frost and his boys presided over a large 
tree in another corner. Small toys wrapped in white 
tissue paper were attached to this tree and sold for 
five cents. Or Santa Claus may preside at the sale. 

Snowballs of white popcorn and snowballs filled 
with candy were on sale at another booth, presided 
over by red and white Striped Candy Girls. Candy 
canes were also sold here. 

In the fourth corner a snow scene in the woods 
was depicted. A local acrobat, dressed as a Snow- 

158 



The Wishing Man 



man, did stunts, assisted by several boys dressed as 
clowns. They pelted the Snow-man with snowballs 
and then sold bags of white confetti. The Snow- 
man also ran a game where snowballs were thrown 
at a target. The target was a circle of black cam- 
bric, the snowballs were rubber balls covered with 
raw cotton and rolled in flour. Balls sold three for 
five cents. 

A postoffice in charge of Mrs. Santa Claus is 
recommended, where each pays five cents postage 
due for packages and postcards. 

If snowballing the target is too "mussy," a 
large holly wreath with a cluster of sleighbells in 
the center may be suspended from the ceiling with 
red and green streamers. Three balls of soft rubber 
are provided and the contestants try to throw the 
balls through the wreath and ring the bells. 

Stuffed stockings on a clothesline may be offered 
for sale. This should be presided over by Moll 
Pitcher and her colonial wash-maids. 

A rummage sale of toys added quite a large sum 
to the general fund. There was a 5-cent table, a 
10-cent table and a 25-cent table. 

THE SCENERY FOR THE PLAY. 

The rear of the stage should be hung with dark 
curtains. Arrange the trumpet vine and the trees 
in place before the play begins. Then hide them with 
screens, these screens serving as the "scenery" for 
Act I. 

During the progress of Act II, in front of the 
front curtain, remove the screens and furniture of 

159 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Act I and arrange the stage for Act III as described 
in the text. 

For the thunder effect in Act I rattle a large sheet 
of sheet-iron and explode several large fire-crackers. 

The arrangement of the stage in Acts I and III 
is. fully described in the text. 

PROPERTIES. 

Table with long cover completely hiding the Wish- 
ing Man. 

Lighted lamp on table. Chairs and sofa. 

Window at rear. Two curtains can simulate a 
window. 

Trumpet vine with tin and paper trumpets. 

Drum tree with tissue paper buds and toy drums. 

Candy tree. 

Ball plants. 

Frame to hide the French dolls. 

Doll plants. 

Pasteboard box with cover for Ka-zin-ski. 

Three small pill boxes. 

COSTUMES. 

The Wishing Man — Dressed as a clown, white 
suit with red horseshoes on it. Red ruffles around 
arms, ankles and neck. Long, pointed, white clown 
cap. Face and neck should be covered with white 
grease paint and when it is dry apply white powder. 
Then blacken the nose and lips with hot black grease 
paint. Make tiny high eyebrows of this black paint 
and paint round black circles on cheek bones. 

160 



The Wishing Man 



Grandpa, Grandma, Father and Mother should 
be dressed in modern costume, but they must be 
made up and costumed to look the part. 

Nurse Maid — Black dress, long. White apron, 
collar, cap and cuffs. 

Dumpling, Tootsy and Snookums — Pretty 
dresses suitable for Christmas. 

The Big Dumpling, Tootsy and Snookums — 
Dressed exactly like their little counterparts. Wigs, 
etc. 

Ka-zin-ski — Tall boy dressed as a clown. False 
face. Bushy whiskers and wig. A regular jack-in- 
the-box make-up. 

The Tin Soldiers — Long trousers of shiny blue 
cambric with red stripes at the sides. Shiny red 
jackets with yellow bands and buttons across front 
and on sleeves. Toy guns. The cheeks and lips 
should be very red to imitate toy soldiers. 

The French Dolls — Fancy dresses and bonnets. 
Hair in curls. Faces painted to represent wax dol- 
lies, red cheeks, eyebrows black, eyelashes beaded 
with black hot grease paint. 

Jim Dandy — Red and white striped stockings. 
From the knee to under the arms the suit is a cylin- 
drical roll of white pasteboard striped with red. 
Sleeves and collar white striped with red. Pointed 
white cap striped with red. 

The Bears — Costumes of brown canton flannel, 
fuzzy side out. Get a pattern for a child's night- 
dress with feet. Allow it rather loose in front, so 
that a folded knit shawl can be securely fastened 
(with safety pins) to the shoulders in front, beneath 
it, thus making the round body of the bear. For the 

161 



Merry Christmas Plays 



back of the suit do not cut the waist part separate 
from the legs, as is usual in the pattern, but allow 
the waist to be as wide as the seat of the drawers. 
Then lay a pleat from A to B on 
either side, tapering to form a loose 
fit below the waist. ' Sew thumbless 
mittens to the ends of the sleeves, 
padding them a little on the back 
and sewing on palms of a light tan, 
to represent paws. 

Fit the seat of the drawers at the 
back loose enough to give freedom 
of motion, but no more. 

For the heads, cut hoods like Fig. 
3, taking a straight piece of cloth 
cloth and fitting it with pleats around the face, etc. 
Make ears of two thicknesses of the cloth, stitched 
and turned like Fig. 4. Lay a box-pleat at A-B and 
sew them to the hood at C-D, so that they will stand 
out and forward. See Fig. 5. Sew this hood to the 
neck of the suit, so that all goes on together. Bear 




false faces. 





Fis3 




Baby Jumbo — Two medium sized boys form the 
elephant. Two four-foot sticks are fastened together 

with twenty-inch crosspieces, thus : 



Forming a rack which two boys carry on their shoul- 

162 



The Wishing Ma: 




ders. Cut two pieces from gray cambric like Fig. 6 
to form the head, having the trunk 
about a yard long; sew them together 
and stuff with rags ; sew on white paste- 
board tusks, large buttons for eyes and 
big ears cut out of cambric and lined 
with one thickness of paper. Attach 
strings at A and tie to the first crosspiece of the 
rack. Pad the rack with an old comfort sewed fast 
with cord to hold it in place. 

Set the rack on the boy's shoulders, then standing 
with heads bent forward, the foremost boy support- 
ing the elephant's head with his head and slipping 
his right hand into the upper part of the trunk so 
as to swing it. Throw over them a large, dark-col- 
ored shawl, reaching to their knees, fasten it together 
in the back and pin on a tail made of cambric and 
stuffed. Legs covered with brown burlap. 



163 



A CHRISTMAS CAROL OR THE 
MISER'S YULETIDE DREAM 



. 




MflR^gTHH 
Rfl CHIT FAMILY 

166 



TINVTIM 



A CHRISTMAS CAROL OR THE 
MISERS YULETIDE DREAM 

ADAPTED FROM CHARLES DICKEXs' IMMORTAL STORY. 

CHARACTERS. 

Ebenezer Scrooge A Middle-aged Merchant 

"Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck 
out generous fire." 

Bob Cratchit • . .Scrooge's Clerk 

"With the Christmas spirit in his heart." 

Fred Scrooge's Nephew 

"A whole-souled, inerry-hearted youn£ married man." 

Two Mission Lassies. 

The Ghost of Jacob M-arle y .. . Serooge*s Partner 
"Dead these seven years " 

First Spirit (Little Girl) 

The Ghost of Christmas Past 

Second Spirit. . . .The Ghost of Christmas Present 
Third Spirit. .The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Be 

A Chorus of Young Boys .Carol Singers 

First Wait The Leader of the Singers 

Mr. Fezziwig. A Jolly Old Merchant 

Mrs. Fezziwig One Vast Substantial Smile 

Ebenezer Scrooge as a Young Man 

Dick His Fellow Clerk 

The Old Fiddler , 

Bella . .Scrooge's First and Only Love 

Mrs. Cratchit Bob's Wife 

Belinda, Aged Eighteen . 1 

Martha, Aged Seventeen . 

Peter, Aged Fourteen . . . i _ _ _ ,<> i __ 

Bob, Aged Eleven f Bob Cratchlt s Famll !> 

Betty, Aged Nine ...... 

Tiny Tim, Aged Four .... J 

Five Ladies, Five Gentlemen and a Little Boy for the Fezziwig Tableau 

167 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Stave I. 

Scene : The counting house of Scrooge and Mar- 
ley. A dark, dreary office, indicated by brown cur- 
tains at sides, with entrances R. and L. and brown 
curtains at rear. Note: These rear curtains must 
be arranged to be parted, showing the tableau stage 
bach of the real stage. The tableau stage is elevated 
a few feet above the real stage (this makes a better 
picture but is not absolutely necessary) . High desk 
at R. facing the R. wall. Tall stool at ihis desk; 
ledger, quill pen, ink, candle on this desk. Small, 
old desk down L., facing audience. Desk chair back 
of this desk. Two common wooden chairs at R. C. 
'and L. C. Ledger, quill pen, books, candle stuck) 
in an old dark bottle, on desk down L. 

Full description of costumes, a detailed illustration 
of the stage setting, etc., will be found at the end 
of the play. 

Before the curtain rises Waits are heard singing 
off L. Curtain rises disclosing Bob Cratchit seated 
on stool, bent over ledger at desk R., working by 
the light of the candle. 

Waits (outside, sing "Christmas Carol"). 

(Cratchit turns and listens.) 

Enter Scrooge from R. in a towering passion. 
Slams door R. Cratchit hurriedly returns to his 
work. Scrooge crosses to door L. and flings it open 
angrily. 

168 



A Christmas Carol 



CHRISTMAS CAROL. 



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169 



"Merry Christmas Plays 



CHRISTMAS CAROL-Continued. 



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170 



A Christmas Carol 



CHRISTMAS CAROL— Concluded. 



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171 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Scrooge {flinging open door L. at this point). 
Get away from my door. Begone, ye beggars ! I've 
nothing for you. 

First Wait (sticking his head in door at L.). 
Only a shillin', sir, for a merry Christmas, yer honor. 

Scrooge. Get away from there or I'll call the 
police. 

First Wait. Only a shillin', sir. 

Scrooge. Not a penny. I have other places to 
put my money. Go on, now. You don't get a cent. 
Not a penny! 

First Wait. All right, sir. Merry Christmas, 
just the same, sir. (Exits L.) 

Scrooge (comes down to his desk at L., mutter- 
ing) . Howling idiots ! Give 'em a shilling, hey ? 
I'd like to give 'em six months in the work'us, that 
I would. Paupers! I'd show 'em what a merry 
Christmas is. (Cratchit gets down from stool and 
starts to slink out L.) Hey! 

Cratchit (pauses, turns to Scrooge). Yes, sir. 

Scrooge. Where you goin'? 

Cratchit. I was, just goin' to get a few coals, 
sir. Just to warm us up a bit, sir. 

Scrooge. You let my coals alone. Get back to 
work. I'm not complaining about the cold, am I? 
And I'm an older man than you are. Back to work! 

Cratchit (sighs, pauses, then says meekly). Yes, 
sir. (Resumes work.) 

Scrooge. You want to let my coals alone if you 
expect to keep your job. I'm not a millionaire. Un- 
derstand? (Loudly.) Understand? 

Cratchit. Yes, sir, I understand. (Shivers, 
wraps long white woolen muffler closer about throat 
and warms hands at candle.) 

172 



A Christmas Carol, 



Scrooge. Here it is three o'clock, the middle of 
the afternoon, and two candles burning. What more 
do you want? Want me to end up in the poorhouse? 

Fred (heard outside at Z*.). Uncle! Uncle 1 
Where are you? Merry Christmas, uncle. 

Fred enters from L. He is happy and bright 
and has a cheerful, loud laugh. He enters laughing 
and comes down C. 

Scrooge (looking up from Jus work). Oh, it's 
you, is it? 

Fred. Of course it is, uncle. Merry Christmas ! 
God save you! 

Scrooge (with disgust). Merry Christmas! Bah! 
Humbug ! 

Fred. Christmas a humbug, uncle? You don't 
mean that, I'm sure. 

Scrooge. I don't, hey? Merry Christmas! What 
cause have you got to be merry? You're poor 
enough. 

Fred (laughing good-naturedly). Come, then, 
what right have you got to be dismal? You're rich 
enough. So, merry Christmas, uncle. 

Scrooge. Out upon your merry Christmas! 
What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying 
bills without money; a time for finding yourself a 
year older, but not an hour richer ? You keep Christ- 
mas in your own way and let me keep it in mine. 

Fred. Keep it? But you don't keep it! 

Scrooge. Let me leave it alone, then. Much 
good may it do you! Much good has it ever done 
you! 

Fred.. Christmas is a good time, uncle; a kind, 
forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time 
I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when 

173 



Merry Christmas Plays 



men and women seem by one consent to open their 
shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below 
them in the social scale. And therefore, uncle, though 
it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my 
pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will 
do me good; and I say, God bless it, God bless 
Christmas ! 

Cratchit {who had been listening eagerly, claps 
his hands). Good! 

Scrooge. Let me hear another sound from you 
and you'll keep your Christmas by losing your job. 
Get to work! 

Cratchit. Yes, sir. {Resumes his work on the 
ledger. ) 

Scrooge {to Fred). You're quite a powerful 
speaker, sir. I wonder you don't go into Parliament. 

Fred. Don't be angry, uncle. Come, dine with 
us tomorrow. 

Scrooge. Dine with you? Me? I'll see you hanged 
first. Dine with you? I'll see you in — 

Cratchit {sneezes violently). 

Scrooge. What's the matter with you? {Turns 
to Fred.) I'm a busy man. Good afternoon. 

Fred. Come, uncle; say "Yes." 

Scrooge. No. 

Fred. But why? Why? 

Scrooge {savagely) . Why did you get married? 

Fred. Because I fell in love. 

Scrooge. Bah! {Resumes his work.) Good 
afternoon. 

Fred. I want nothing from you. I ask nothing 
from you. But why can't we be friends? 

Scrooge. Good afternoon. 

Fred. Uncle I won't part in anger. My dear 

174 



A Christmas Carol 



mother was your only sister — your only relation. 
For her sake let us be friends. 

Scrooge {savagely). Good afternoon. 

Fred. I'll still keep the Christmas spirit, uncle. 
A merry Christmas to you. 

Scrooge (busy at ledger). Bah! 

Fred. And a happy New Year. 

Scrooge. Good afternoon! 

Fred (goes to Cratchit). And a merry Christ- 
mas to you, Bob Cratchit. 

Cratchit (getting down from stool, shaking 
hands with Fred warmly). Merry Christmas, sir. 
God bless it ! 

Fred. Ay, God bless it! And a happy New 
Year. 

Cratchit. And a happy New Year, too! God 
bless that, too ! 

Fred. Ay, Bod, God bless that, too. (Exit L.) 

Scrooge. Cratchit, get to work! 

Cratchit. Yes, sir. (Resumes work.) 

Scrooge (looks at him). Humph! Fifteen shil- 
lings a week and a wife and six children, and he talks 
about a merry Christmas. Humph! (Works on 
ledger.) 

Enter from L. Two Mission Lassies. They come 
down C. 

First Lass. Scrooge and Marley's, I believe? 
Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge or 
Mr. Marley? 

Scrooge. Mr. Marley has been dead these seven 
years. He died seven years ago this very night. 

First Lass. We have no doubt his liberality is 
represented by his surviving partner. (Shows sub- 
scription paper.) 

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Merry Christmas Plays 



Scrooge. Liberality? Humph! {Returns paper 
to her.) 

Second Lass. At this festive season of the year, 
Mr. Scrooge, we are trying to make some slight pro- 
vision for the poor and destitute, who are suffering 
greatly. Hundreds of thousands are in want of 
common comforts, sir. 

Scrooge. Are there no prisons? 

Second Lass (sighs). Plenty of prisons, sir. 

Scrooge. And the workhouses — are they still in 
operation ? 

First Lass. They are, sir ; but they scarcely fur- 
nish Christmas cheer for mind and body. We are 
trying to raise a fund to buy the poor some meat 
and drink and means of warmth. 

Second Lass. We chose this time because it is a 
time when want is keenly felt and abundance re- 
joices. What shall we put you down for? 

Scrooge. Nothing. 

First Lass. You wish to be anonymous? 

Scrooge. I wish to be left alone. I don't make 
merry myself at Christmas, I don't believe in it. And 
I can't afford to make idle people merry. Thej 
should go to the poorhouse. 

Second Lass. Many of them would rather die, 
sir, than do that. 

Scrooge (savagely). If they would rather die, 
they'd better do it and decrease the population. And 
besides, I am a very busy man. 

First Lass. But, sir — 

Scrooge. Good afternoon. 

First Lass. I'm sorry, sir. Sorry — 

Scrooge. Sorry for them? 

176 



A Christmas Carol 



First Lass. No, sir, I'm sorry for you, sir. Good^ 
afternoon. (Exits L. followed by Second Lass.) 

Scrooge. Sorry for me, hey? (Pause. He 
works. The clock strikes five.) Sorry for me! 

Cratchit (closes his book, blows out candle). Is 
there anything more, sir? (Comes to C.) 

Scrooge. You'll want all day off tomorrow, I 
suppose? 

Cratchit. If it's quite convenient, sir. 

Scrooge. Well, it isn't — and it's not fair. If 
I'd dock you a half a crown for it you'd think I was 
ill using you, wouldn't you ? 

Cratchit (nervously). I don't know, sir. 

Scrooge. And yet you expect me to pay a full 
day's wages for no work. 

Cratchit. It only comes once a year, sir. Only 
once a year. 

Scrooge. A poor excuse for picking a man's 
pocket every twenty-fifth of December! But I sup- 
pose you've got to have the whole day. But you 
be here all the earlier next morning. 

Cratchit. Oh, yes, indeed, sir. (Goes out R.) 

Scrooge. I'll stay here a bit and finish up the 
work. 

Enter Cratchit from R. with hat. He turns up 
his coat collar, wraps the long white woolen muffler 
around chin and pulls hat down over his face. 

Cratchit (crosses to door L.). I'm going, sir. 

Scrooge. All right. 

Cratchit (shields face with arm as though he 
were afraid Scrooge might throw something at him). 
Merry Christmas, sir! (Runs out L.) 

Scrooge. Bah! Humbug! (He works at ledger. 
Finally drops his head on his arms and sleeps. The 

177 



— ™ 



Merry Christmas Plays 



light of his candle goes out. Note: Scrooge might 
blow it out unseen by audience.) 

The stage is now in darkness. A musical bell tolls 
off L. After a pause another bell tolls off R. The 
clinking of chains is heard. When the. stage is com- 
pletely darkened the Ghost of Marley slips in and 
sits at R. He is entirely covered with black, face 
and all, as he slips in, so as to be quite invisible. 

Mysterious music. Sudden clap of thunder heard. 
An auto light from the wings at R. is thrown on the 
Ghost's face. This light should be green. The 
thunder dies away. Clanking of chains heard. 

Ghost (groans). 

Scrooge (starts up, looks at Ghost, pauses). 
How now! What do you want with me? 

Ghost. Much. 

Scrooge. Who are you? 

Ghost. Ask me who I was. 

Scrooge. Well, who were you, then? 

Ghost. In life I was your partner, Jacob Mar- 
ley. It is required of every man that the spirit 
within him should walk abroad among his fellow- 
men, and if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is 
condemned to do so after death. 

Scrooge. You are fettered. Tell me why. 

Ghost. I wear the chain I forged in life. I made 
it link by link, yard by yard, the heavy chain of 
avarice. Now I must make amends for the opportu- 
nities I neglected in life. 

Scrooge. But you were always a good man of 
business, Jacob. 

Ghost. Business ? Mankind should have been my 
business. Kind actions, charity, mercy, benevolence, 
love — all should have been my business. I am here 

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A Christmas Carol 



tonight to warn you, to warn you, Ebenezer Scrooge, 
that you have yet a chance of escaping my fate. 

Scrooge. You were always a good friend to me. 

Ghost. You will be haunted by Three Spirits. 

Scrooge. If it's all the same to you, I think I'd 
rather not. 

Ghost. Without their visits, you cannot hope 
to escape my fate. Expect the first when the bell 
tolls one. 

Scrooge. Couldn't I take it all at once and have 
it over, Jacob? 

Ghost. Remember my warning, heed the mes- 
sage and you may yet be saved. My time is over. 
(Chains rattle.) Farewell, farewell, farewell! 
(Loud crash of thunder. Light is quenched and 
Ghost exits unseen by audience.) 

Pause. The bell tolls one/ Enter Spirit of 
Christmas Past from R. She comes down R. Strong 
white light on her from R. 

Scrooge (trembling). Are you the Spirit whose 
coming was foretold to me? 

First Spirit. I am. 

Scrooge. Who and what are you? 

First Spirit. I am the Ghost of Christmas Past. 

Scrooge. Long past? 

First Spirit. No, your past. 

Scrooge. Why have you come here to me? 

First Spirit. For your own welfare. I must 
teach you the first lesson of consideration. 

Scrooge. But I am considerate. 

First Spirit. Are you a kind master to your 
clerk ? 

Scrooge. Well, I'm not unkind. 

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Merry Christmas Plays 



First Spirit. Do you remember your own first 
master? One Fezziwig by name? 

Scrooge. Indeed, I do. Bless his dear, old heart. 
He was the kindest master that ever lived. 

First Spirit. Then why haven't you followed 
his good example? Would any of your clerks say 
that you were the kindest master that ever lived? 

Scrooge. Well, times have changed, that's it — 
it's all the fault of the times. 

First Spirit. It's all the fault of a squeezing, 
wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous 
old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no 
steel has ever struck out a generous fire. No wind 
that blows is more bitter than he, no falling snow is 
more intent upon its purpose, no pelting rain less 
open to entreaty. And his name is Ebenezer Scrooge. 

Scrooge. All I ask is to edge my way along the 
crowded path of life. I want to be left alone. That's 
all — left alone. 

First Spirit. I have come to save you, Eben- 
ezer Scrooge. I have come to kindle into life the 
stone that once was your heart. First I will show 
you the kind heart and generosity of your old time 
master. Behold the warehouse of Fezziwig and Com- 
pany. 

{Rear curtains are drawn apart, revealing a work- 
shop, with desk down R. facing front. Barrel up 
L. Sign on rear wall reads, "Fezziwig and Com- 
pany." Two young men, Ebenezer and Dick, dis- 
covered happily working at desk. Fezziwig stands 
up L. looking off L. Waits are heard singing off 
L. at rear.) 

180 



A Christmas Carol 



Waits (sing, music page 169). 

Christ was born on Christmas Day, 
Wreathe the holly, twine the bay, 
Light and Life and Joy is He, 
The Babe, the Son, 
The Holy One. 
Of Mary. 

Fezziwig (flinging them a handful of coins). 
That's right, my lads. Sing away. Merry Christ- 
mas to you. 

Waits (outside). Thank ye, sir. Merry Christ- 
mas and Happy New Year! Thank ye, sir. (They 
sing and the song dies away in the distance.) 

Scrooge (down R. with First Spirit). Why, it's 
old Fezziwig. Bless his dear, old heart. It's Fezzi- 
wig alive again. 

Fezziwig (comes merrily down C). Yo ho, my 
boys ! No more work for tonight. Christmas Eve, 
Dick! (Throws his arms over the shoulders of the 
tzco boys.) Christmas Eve, Ebenezer! God bless 
Christmas. 

Dick. Ay, ay, sir. 

Ebenezer. Ay, ay ; God bless Christmas. 

First Spirit. Did you hear that, Scrooge? That 
is yourself — and you said God bless Christmas. 

Scrooge. That's true. That was thirty years 
ago. 

Fezziwig (bustling about). The missis and the 
girls are down stairs, so let's clear away before you 
can say Jack Robinson, (They push desk back, and 
decorate rear stage with strings of Christmas greens, 
Fezziwig talking all the time.) Yo ho ! That's right, 
Dick. String the Christmas greens. Here you are, 
Ebenezer. We're going to have the merriest time 

181 



Merry Christmas Plays 



in all the kingdom. (Dancing a step or two.) I'll 
show ye how to enjoy life. That's it. Now we're 
all ready. (Sings.) "Wreathe the holly, twine the 
bay!" Let's have lots of room. Clear away, Dick. 
Here comes the fiddler now. 

Enter Old Fiddler. He sits on barrel at rear 
and starts to "tune up." 

Old Fiddler. Merry Christmas, sir. 

Fezziwig. The same to you, granfer, and many 

Enter Mrs. Fezziwig from L. 

Mrs. Fezziwig. Lawsy, lawsy, I thought we'd be 
late. (Goes to the two boys and puts her arms over 
their shoulders.) And how's my merry boys tonight? 

Dick. Finer'n a fiddle. 

Ebenezer. Merry Christmas, Mrs. Fezziwig. 

Mrs. Fezziwig. The same to you, dear lads. 

Fezziwig. Where's the girls, mother? 

Mrs. Fezziwig. Here they come, Flora, Felicity 
and little Fanny May. 

Enter the Three Fezziwig girls with their es- 
corts. Everybody bustles around shaking hands, 
wishing each other "Merry Christmas." 

Fezziwig. And here's the housemaid and her 
cousin the baker. (They enter and are greeted by 
all.) The cook and the milkman, and the lonesome 
little boy from over the way ! And Ebenezer's young 
lady, Miss Bella. (They enter and are merrily 
greeted.) And now, mother, what do you say to a 
rollicking game of Puss in the Corner. 

(They play Puss in the Corner with much loud 
laughter, clapping hands, running about, etc. The 
Fiddler plays.) 

182 



A Christmas Carol 



Mrs. Fezziwig. Oh, I never was so happy in all 
my life. This is the real spirit of Christmas. 

Fezziwig (hangs up a bit of mistletoe). And 
here's the mistletoe. 

(They form a ring and play a ring game with 
much noise and confusion.) 

Ebenezer (catching Mrs. Fezziwig under the 
mistletoe). I've got ye! (Kisses her.) 

Mrs. Fezziwig. God bless the boy! 

Ebenezer. And God bless the merry Christmas ! 

Fezziwig. And now a dance, my hearties. Yo ho ! 
For the old time Christmas dance. 

(They dance a few figures of Sir Roger de C ov- 
erly or the Virginia Reel. All are dancing wildly, 
swinging, etc., with plenty of loud laughter, clap- 
ping of hands, etc., as the rear curtains are drawn. 
Note : Use brilliant lights from R. and L. upon the 
rear stage.) 

First Spirit. What a small matter to make these 
silly folks so full of gratitude and happiness. 

Scrooge (astonished). Small? It was the happi- 
est time in my life. 

First Spirit. And yet your master only spent 
a few pounds of your mortal money. Three or four, 
perhaps. And yet he kindled the true spirit of 
Christmas in all your hearts. 

Scrooge. He could have made us miserable, but 
he made every day we worked for him seem like 
Christmas. 

\ First Spirit (gazes steadily at Scrooge, who be- 
comes uneasy under the look). What's the matter 
now? 

Scrooge ( trying to appear unconcerned, but fail- 
ing). Oh, nothing! 

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Merr* Christmas Plays 
— J. : as. *, 



First §pirit } {gazing at him). Something, I 
think/ •* or i \ 

Scrooge. No, nothing; only this, I wish I could 
say a word or two to my clerk just now. That's all. 
Poor fellow. I'm afraid I've been a little hard on 
him. Poor Bob Cratchit ! 

First Spirit. My work is thriving, but my time 
grows short. Quick, I have another picture for you. 

Soft music. The curtains part, showing the scene 
as before, but only Ebenezer and Bella are discov- 
ered. Soft music plays all through this scene. 

Bella. It matters little to you, very little. An- 
other idol has displaced me, that's all. If it can 
comfort you and cheer you in time to come, as I 
would have tried to do, I have no just cause to 
grieve. 

Ebenezer {irritated). What idol has displaced 
you in my heart? 

Bella. An idol of gold. 

Ebenezer. Well, I must make money. You 
know that. Poverty is the hardest thing in the 
world. 

Bella. I have seen your nobler instincts fall off 
one by one. Now nothing remains in your heart but 
the love of gold. Therefore, I am releasing you from 
your engagement. {Offers ring.) 

Ebenezer. Have I ever sought release? 

Bella. In words, no ; but in everything else, yes. 
I am penniless. If you married me, you would prob- 
ably regret it. So I release you with a heart full of 
love for the noble man you once were. 

Ebenezer. But, Bella — 

Bella. You will soon forget me. Your time and 
your mind will be full of business, seeking after gold. 

184 



A Christmas Carol 



The idol of gold has driven love from your heart, 
but may you be happy and contented in the life you 
have chosen. (Rear curtains are drawn.) 

First Spirit. And are you happy and content 
in the life you have chosen, Ebenezer Scrooge? 

Scrooge. No, a thousand times — no. I threw 
away her love, the one pure thing in my life, for 
gold. And now I'm alone, alone. (Sinks at desk 
and sobs.) 

First Spirit. I have shown shadows of times 
that are passed. Have you learned a lesson from the 
Spirit of Christmas Past? 

Scrooge. I have, I have; a bitter, bitter lesson. 

First Spirit. And will you see more? 

Scrooge. No, no. Show me no more. Torture 
me no longer. 

First Spirit. Remember the lesson you have 
learned. Remember the kindness of your old master. 
Remember the love of your old sweetheart. Your 
life is barren and bitter, but there is yet time for 
repentance. (Bell tolls twice.) The signal! My 
hour is past. On the stroke of six my brother, the 
Spirit of the Christmas Present, will visit you. Re- 
member ! Repent ! Believe ! Farewell, farewell, fare- 
well! 

Front Curtain Slowly Falls. 

Stave II. 

Same scene as Stave I. Lights half up, but can- 
dles are not burning. Rear curtains closed. Scrooge 
is discovered asleep at his desk. The Spirit of 
Christmas Present sits at R., a red light shining 
on him. He carries a torch in which a red light 

185 



Merry Christmas Plays 



burns. The bells toll six times. Scrooge suddenly 
awakens and gazes at Second Spirit. 

Second Spirit. Arise, arise, Ebenezer Scrooge, 
and learn to know me better. 

Scrooge {frightened). I don't believe I ever met 
you before. 

Second Spirit. Probably not. I am the Spirit 
of Christmas. The Ghost of Christmas Present. 

Scrooge. The Ghost of Christmas Present? 

Second Spirit. I am a brother of the little Spirit 
of Christmas Past who visited you before. 

Scrooge. And are you going to show me all my 
past misdeeds? 

Second Spirit. Not me. I am going to show 
you your present misdeeds. It is my mission to show 
you the love and comradeship of Christmas of today. 
I travel among the common people. My torch is 
their benediction. If there is a slight quarrel or 
any misunderstandings on Christmas Day, I simply 
throw on them the light of my torch. And then they 
say it is a shame to quarrel on Christmas Day — the 
Day of Peace. and Love. And so it is ! God bless it! 
God bless Christmas Day! 

Scrooge. And what do you intend to show me? 

Second Spirit. I intend to show you the House 
of Happiness. 

Scrooge. Is it a wonderful palace of gold? 

Second Spirit. It is a humble little kitchen. In 
fact, the kitchen of your poor clerk, Bob Cratchit. 
Bob, with his fifteen shillings a week — with his wife 
and six children — with his shabby clothes and his 
humble, shabby manners — Bob, with his little four- 
roomed house, and his struggle to keep the wolf 

186 



A Christmas Carol 



from the door. The Ghost of the Christmas Present 
blesses his abode. Behold! 

Bright, cheerful music. Scrooge and Second 
Spirit cross to R. The rear curtains open, showing 
the interior of the Cratchit kitchen. Everything 
neat, but showing extreme poverty. Fireplace C. 
rear. Kettle boiling on crane. Table down L. C. 
with red cloth and lighted lamp. Cupboard up R. 
Old chairs around stage. Several pots of bright flow- 
ers in evidence. A bird in a cage is singing over the 
mantel. Peter discovered watching the potatoes 
boiling in the kettle at the fireplace. Enter Mrs. 
Cratchit and Belinda from L. 

Mrs. Cratchit. Hurry, Belinda; we must set 
the table right away. How's the taters, Peter? 

Peter {peeks in the kettle). Boiling, mammy, 
boiling. 

Mrs. Cratchit. Here, carry the lamp over 
there. 

Belinda. Yes, ma'am. (Puts lamp on cup- 
board.) 

Mrs. Cratchit. And now where's the white table 
cloth? 

Belinda (getting it from cupboard) . Here it is, 
mammy. (They place castor, plates, knives, etc., on 
table during the following scene.) 

Mrs. Cratchit. Whatever has got your precious 
father, I wonder? He and Tiny Tim's been at the 
church these three hours. 

Enter Bob and Betty from R. They run down 
and kiss Mrs. Cratchit. 

Bob. Oh, mumsy, we saw the goose, we did. We 

187 



Merry Christmas Plays 



peeked in through the bakery window and we saw 
the goose, we did. 

Betty. And we smelled him, too. And we went 
inside, we did. And the baker asked us what was 
wantin'. And Bob said he wanted to know which 
goose was the Cratchit goose. 

Bob. And he pointed to the very biggest one, 
mumsy. Didn't he, Betty? 

Betty. And it was all nice and browny on top. 
And he said it 'ud be ready in 'bout twenty minutes. 
Didn't he, Bob? 

Bob. And it was the best looking goose I ever 
saw, it was. It just made me hungry to see him and 
to smell him baking. 

Betty. And it had sage and onion stuffing, 
mumsy, didn't it, Bob? 

Mrs. Cratchit. I'm sure there never was such a 
goose before, and I'm sure there never will be such 
a goose again. How's the 'taters, Peter? 

Peter (looks in kettle). Boilin', mammy, boilin'. 

Bob. Oh, Peter's got on pa's shirt collar, he has. 
Peter's got on pa's shirt collar. 

Peter. If I didn't have to mind these 'taters, 
I'd show you ! 

Mrs. Cratchit. I can't think what's keeping 
your father, and your brother Tiny Tim. And 
Martha wasn't as late last Christmas Day by half 
an hour. 

Enter Martha from R. 

Martha. Here's Martha, mumsy. 

Bob (dragging her down to Mrs. Cratchit). 
Here's Martha, mumsy. 

Betty. Oh, Martha, there's such a goose! Isn't 
there, Bob? 

188 



A Christmas Carol 



Mrs. Cratchit {hugging and kissing Martha). 
Why, bless your heart alive, my dear, how late you 
are! {Takes off her bonnet and shawl.) 

Martha. We'd a deal of work to finish up last 
night. I was on my feet all day. Oh, why won't 
people learn to do their Christmas shopping early. 
If they'd only stop to give a moment's thought to 
the poor clerks. 

Mrs. Cratchit. There, there, my dear, sit ye 
down. Here's the big chair, Martha. (Bob has 
been sitting in the big chair at R., but Mrs. 
Cratchit simply turns it forward, letting Bob slip 
to the floor, and seats Martha therein.) Well, 
never mind, as long as you're home at last, Martha. 
Draw your chair up to the fire and have a warm. 
God bless you. How's the 'taters, Pete? 

Peter {looking in kettle). Boilin', mammy, 
boilin'. 

Martha {sitting in front of the fire). Oh, 
mumsy, ain't this Heavenly? Be it ever so humble 
there's no place like home. 

Betty {at door R.). Father's coming, father's 
coming. 

Bob. Hide yourself, Martha. Here, here. {Pulls 
her to L.) 

Betty {helping her). Hurry up. Hide, hide! 
{Exit Martha at L.) 

Bright music. Enter Cratchit carrying Tiny 
Tim on his shoulder. Tiny Tim carries a little 
crutch. 

Cratchit {down C). Why, where's our Martha? 

Mrs. Cratchit {down L.). Not coming. 

Cratchit. Not coming? Not coming — on Christ- 
mas Day? 

189 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Martha {rushing in from L.). No, father, it's 
only a joke. Here I am, father, here I am. {Rushes 
into his arms.) 

Betty {taking Tiny Tim). Come on, Tiny Tim, 
out to the wash-house. We've got something to 
show you, we have. Ain't we, Bob? 

Bob. You bet we have, Tiny Tim. Come and 
hear the Christmas pudding singing in the wash 
boiler. Come on! {Exit Bob, followed by Betty 
and Tiny Tim, at L.) 

Mrs. Cratchit {taking Cratchit's hat and muf- 
fler and hanging them up). And how did Tiny Tim 
behave in the church, father? 

Cratchit. As good as gold and better. Some- 
how he gets thoughtful, sitting by himself so much, 
and thinks the strangest things you ever heard. 
{Sits at L. surrounded by all.) He told me, coming 
home, that he hoped the people saw him in the 
church, because he was a cripple, and it might be 
pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, 
who it was who made lame beggars walk and blind 
men see. {Trembling voice.) Little Tim is growing 
stronger and more hearty every day. 

Enter Tiny Tim from L. 

Tim. I heard the pudding singing a song in the 
wash boiler, I did. 

Mrs. Cratchit. Everything is ready. Bob, you 
and Betty run across the street to the baker's and 
fetch the goose. 

Bob. Come on, Betty. {Runs out R. with 
Betty.) 

Mrs. Cratchit. I've got the gravy to heat, right 
away. Peter, mash the potatoes. Belinda, sweeten 
up the apple sauce! Martha, the hot plates! {All 

190 



A Christmas Carol 



bustle around, setting table. Cratchit with Tim, 
on his knee, sit before the fire.) 

Belinda. We haven't got enough chairs, mumsy. 

Cratchit. This young shaver can sit on my 
knee. 

Mrs. Cratchit. Peter, set up the chairs. 

Enter Bob and Betty from R. bearing a roast 
goose in a baking pan. 

Bob. Here it is, mumsy. 

Betty. Here's the goose. (Mrs. Cratchit puts 
it on plate on table.) 

Belinda. What a wonderful goose. 

Martha. And how big it is! (All take seats.) 

Bob. And don't it smell good! 

Betty. Hurray for the Christmas goose. 

Tim. Hurray ! ( Cratchit makes signal, all bend 
heads for a silent grace.) 

Cratchit (after pronounced pause). And God 
bless Christmas Day. 

Tim. God bless us all, every 'one. (Cratchit 
and Mrs. Cratchit serve the meal. All eat.) 

Cratchit. I've got a situation in my eye for 
Master Peter. 

Peter. A situation for me? 

Cratchit. Yes, sir, for you. Full five-and-six- 
pence weekly. 

All. Oh, Peter ! 

Bob. Peter will be a man of business, won't you, 
Peter? 

Peter. What'll I do with all that money? 

Cratchit. Invest it, invest it, my lad. It's a 
bewildering income. 

Martha. Who do you think was in the shop 

191 



Merry Christmas Plays 



yesterday? You'll never guess. A countess and a 
real lord. 

All. Martha ! 

Martha. A real, live lord, as fine as silk and 
just about as tall as Peter here. 

Peter (pulls his collar up high and tosses his 
head). As big as me? (Waits outside sing two 
verses of Christmas Carol, as before.) 

Cratchit (goes to door). Here's a sixpence for 
you, and God bless you all. 

Waits (outside). Thankee, sir. Merry Christ- 
mas, sir. 

Belinda. And now the pudding. 

Betty. Oh, suppose it should break in turning 
it out. 

Martha. Or suppose it isn't done enough. 

Bob. Suppose somebody should have got over 
the wall of the backyard and stolen it while we were 
in here eating the goose. 

Mrs. Cratchit. Nonsense. I'll get the Christ- 
mas pudding. (Exits.) 

Bob (very much excited). Oh, I can smell it, I 
can. I smell the pudding. 

Enter Mrs. Cratchit bearing dish of pudding, 
decked with holly, and blazing. 

Cratchit. Oh, it's a wonder, mother, it's a won- 
der. 

Betty. It looks like a little speckled cannon- 
ball. 

Bob. But just wait till you taste it; that's all. 
(It is served.) 

Cratchit (rises). I have a toast. Mr. Scrooge! 
I'll give you Mr. Scrooge, the founder of the feast, 

Mrs. Cratchit (indignantly). The founder of 

192 



A Christmas Carol 



the feast indeed! I wish I had him here. I'd give 
him a piece of my mind to feast upon, and I hope 
he'd have a good appetite for it. 

Cratchit (remonstrating gently). My dear, the 
children ! Christmas Day. 

Mrs. Cratchit. He's an odious, stingy, hard, 
unfeeling man. You know he is, Robert. Nobody 
knows it better than you do. 

Cratchit (mildly). My dear, Christmas Day! 

Mrs. Cratchit. Then I'll drink his health, for 
your sake and the Day's, not for his. Long life to 
him! A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 
He'll be very merry and happy, I've no doubt. 

Cratchit. And now a Merry Christmas to us 
all, my dears. God bless us. 

All (rising). A very Merry Christmas. 

Tim. And God bless us every one ! 

(The tableau curtains are slowly drawn.) 

Scrooge. Spirit, tell me if Tiny Tim will live. 

Second Spirit. I see a vacant seat in the poor 
chimney-corner, and a little crutch without an owner. 
If these shadows remained unaltered by the future, 
the child will die. 

Scrooge. No, no, kind Spirit ! Say he will be 
spared. 

Second Spirit. If he be like to die, he had better 
do it, and decrease the surplus population. Your 
very words, Scrooge. Decrease the surplus popu- 
lation. (Scrooge hangs his head in shame.) Man, 
if man you be in heart, forbear that wicked cant. 
Will you decide what men shall live, and what men 
shall die? It may be that in the sight of Heaven 
you are more worthless and less fit" to live than mil- 
lions like this poor man's child. 

193 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Scrooge. Forgive me, forgive me. 

Second Spirit. You have seen the spirit of 
Christmas bless this poor dwelling. They were not 
a handsome family, they were not well dressed ; their 
clothes were scanty and their shoes far from being 
water-proof— but they were happy, grateful, pleased 
with one another, and contented with the Christmas 
time. They are my children. Have you learned your 
lesson? (Chimes ring.) My hour is spent. 

Scrooge. I have learned the lesson, Spirit of 
Christmas. I have seen happiness, in spite of pov- 
erty. A happiness that all my gold cannot buy. I 
have seen the Christmas spirit. Forgive me that I 
ever dared to utter a word against Christmas. For- 
give me! Forgive me! (The chimes continue ring- 
ing, the Spirit glides out. Scrooge kneels in prayer, 
muttering, "Forgive me! Forgive me!") 

Curtain. 

Stave III. 

Same scene as before, the rear curtains drawn to- 
gether. Scrooge is discovered seated at his desk, 
his head buried in his hands. The Third Spirit 
stands at C. with green, ghastly light on him from 
R. This is the only light on the stage. The bells 
toll six. 

Scrooge (awakens). I am in the presence of the 
Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. 

Third Spirit (inclines head). 

Scrooge. You are going to show me the shad- 
ows of things that are to happen in the future? 

Third Spirit (inclines head). 

Scrooge. I fear you more than any I have yet 
seen. But I know you are working for my welfare, 

194 



A .Christmas Carol 



so I will see your visions with a thankful heart. { Will 
you not speak to me? 
JHhird Spirit (points downward with R. hand). 

Scrooge. No word for me. Well, have you any- 
thing to show me? 

Third Spirit (points to rear stage. The cur- 
tains part. Rear stage is draped in white sheets, 
with bare trees at R. and L. A grave with carved 
headstone is at C. Blue lights on this scene. Snow 
falls. Bells heard tolling in the distance.) 

Scrooge. A churchyard! 

Third Spirit (goes to rear stage, points to tomb- 
stone.) 

Scrooge. Before I draw nearer to that stone to 
which you point, answer me one question. Are these 
the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they 
the shadows of things that May be, only? 

Third Spirit (points to stone). 

Scrooge (creeps tremblingly toward it, moving 
very slowly, bends over, reads the name, screams). 
Ebenezer Scrooge ! My tombstone, my grave ! No, 
Spirit, no, no! (Rushes to desk, sinks in chair.) I 
am not the man I was. I am not past all hope. I 
will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep 
it all the year. Save me, save me! 

(The rear curtains are slowly closed) 

Scrooge (rising). I will keep Christmas in the 
past, the present and the future. ,The spirits of all 
three shall strive within me. Heaven be praised for 
this Christmas warning. (Laughing.) I don't know 
what to do. I'm as light as a feather, I'm as happy 
as an angel, I'm as merry as a schoolboy. A Merry 
Christmas to everybody. A happy New Year to 
all the world. Hip, hurrah! 

195 



Merry Christmas Plays 



(Christmas chimes heard outside. Waits singing 
in the distance.) 

Waits (singing louder, music, page 169) : 
Christ was born on Christmas Day, 
Wreathe the holly, twine the bay, 
Light and Life and Joy is He, 
The Babe, the Son, 
The Holy One 
Of Mary. 

Scrooge (rushes to the door). Merry Christmas, 
Merry Christmas. God bless ye! (Flings them a 
handful of coins.) 

First Wait. Thankee, sir. 

Scrooge (grabs him and brings him down C). 
What day is this, my merry lad? 

Wait. He}^ ? 

Scrooge. What day is this my lad? 

Wait (loudly). Today! Why, Christmas Day! 

Scrooge. Do you know the grocer's in the next 
street ? 

Wait. I should hope I did. 

Scrooge. Do you know whether they've sold the 
prize turkey that was hanging up there? Not the 
little prize turkey, the big prize turkey? 

Wait. What, the one as big as me? 

Scrooge. Yes, my buck. 

Wait. It's hanging there now. 

Scrooge. Is it? Go and buy it. 

Wait. Aw, go on ! 

Scrooge. No, no ; I'm in earnest. Go and buy 
it and tell 'em to bring it here, that I may tell 'em 
where to take it. Come back with the man, and 
I'll give you a shilling. Come back with him in less 
than five minutes, and I'll give you half-a-crown. 

196 



A Christmas Carol 



Wait. Watch me. (Rushes out.) 

Scrooge. What a fine little fellow. See him run. 
I'll send the turkey to Bob Cratchit's. He shan't 
know who sends it. It's twice the size of Tiny Tim. 
He should be here by now. 

Enter Cratchit from R. 

Cratchit. Morning, sir. (Takes off cap and 
muffler, goes to desk, starts to work.) 

Scrooge (at desk). What do you mean by com- 
ing here at this time of day? 

Cratchit. I'm very sorry, sir. Very, very sorry. 

Scrooge. Sorry? (Sarcastically.) Yes, you are! 
Come here ! Come here at once ! Understand ! 

Cratchit (comes to Sgrooge's desk). If you 
please, sir — 

Scrooge. I'm not going to stand this sort of 
thing any longer. And therefore (rises, dances 
toward Cratchit, digs him in ribs), and therefore 
I am about to raise your salary. 

Cratchit. Heavens ! The master has gone plumb 
crazy. 

Scrooge. I'm going to help you and your fam- 
ily. I'm going to be a Godfather to all of 'em. The 
two girls and Master Peter, Bob, Betty and to dear 
Tiny Tim. Home to your family, now. Home to 
them, Bob Cratchit — and merry Christmas to you 
and yours. God bless you. 

Enter Fred from R. 

Fred. Here I am again, uncle. Merry Christ- 
mas. 

Scrooge (rushes to him and shakes his hands 
heartily). And the same to you, my lad, and many 
of 'em. I'm going to eat Christmas dinner with you 

197 



Merry Christmas Plays 



this day. I'm going to honor Christmas in my heart, 
and keep it every day in the year. I will live in the 
past, the present and the future. The spirits of all 
three shall strive within me. (Stands C, Fred on 
his R., Cratchit on his L. He takes their hands.) 
Merry Christmas, boys, and God bless us ! 

Fred and Cratchit. The same to you, sir. God 
bless us. 

(Rear curtains are drawn bach, showing the 
Cratchit family at the table. Tiny Tim stands on 
table.) 

Tim. God bless us everyone ! 

(All unite in singing Christmas Carol to — ) 

Slow Curtain. 



THE SCENERY. 




198 



Merry Christmas Plays 



TABLEAUX ON REAR STAGE. 

No. 1. A room. Barrel up L. for fiddler. Desk 
at R. Sign on wall "Fezziwig and Company." 
Garlands of green. 

No. 2. Ebenezer and Bella. Same scene as No. 1. 

No. 3. Cratchit's kitchen. Table at C. and home- 
made fire-place at rear C. are the only essentials, 
with a few stools or chairs. Fire-place made of a 
few boards covered with red paper marked like bricks 
with white chalk or paint. 

No. 4. White sheets hang at back and sides. Two 
small evergreen trees nailed in position, white cot- 
ton hanging, from them. Grave at C. covered with 
snow. Wooden headstone painted white and small 
footstone. The headstone may be in the form of a 
cross or a slab. 

COSTUMES. 

Scrooge — Should be played by a thin man of 
middle age, if possible. Gray hair. Shabby dark 
suit. Face lined. No jewelry or colors. If desired 
to costume the play in the middle Victorian period, 
Scrooge should wear very tight dark trousers, 
brown low cut vest, shabby black full-dress coat, 
soft white shirt, black stock tie, high collar made 
by taking an ordinary turn-over collar and turning 
it up. 

Bob Cratchit — Very shabby dark suit. Long 
white woolen muffler. Old cap. Suit should be the 
same style as that worn by Scrooge, but much 
shabbier. Clothing neatly patched. He wears a 
sprig of mistletoe or holly in Staves 1 and 2. 

Fred — Bright, cheerful young man of 22. Over- 
coat and top hat. Ruffled shirt, stock tie and collar 
as for Scrooge. 

199 



A Christmas Carol 



Mission Lassies — Dark skirts, capes, blue poke 
bonnets with red ribbon across front. 

The Ghost of Jacob Marley — Long black robe. 
Black hood. Chains around waist, with toy money 
banks on chains. Take a skeleton false face and with 
gray and black and white grease paint make up 
your own face like a false face. Or if desired, wear 
the false face. Speak in low monotone. 

First Spirit — A little girl of 10. Long light 
hair. White Grecian draperies trimmed with tinsel. 
Crown of tinsel. 

Second Spirit — Man dressed in a red robe, 
trimmed with sprigs of green pine. White cotton 
border to represent snow. Cap of white cotton. 

Third Spirit — Use same costume and make-up 
as Marley's Ghost. 

Waits — White smocks, ragged trousers. Felt 
hats twined with red and green ribbon. Carry 
branches of holly. 

Mr. Fezziwig — Low shoes with pasteboard buckles 
covered with tinfoil. Short black trousers. White 
stockings. Fancy colonial coat and hat. White 
colonial wig. A short, stout man of middle age. 
Always laughing, moving around, etc. 

Mrs. Fezziwig — Middle-aged lady in gay colonial 
tuck-up dress. White colonial wig. 

Ebenezer and Dick — Two young men in colonial 
costume. No wigs. 

The Fiddler — White wig and whiskers. Long 
white smock. Hat trimmed with ribbons. 

Bella — Neat colonial costume of pink and white. 
Hair in curls. 

The Cratchit Family — Old-fashioned costumes, 
faded and worn, but bright with cheap lace and 
gay ribbons. Peter wears a large white collar. 

200 



HER CHRISTMAS HAT 




HARD TIMES ANNIE 



202 



/ 



HER CHRISTMAS HAT 

A FARCE IN ONE ACT. 

CHARACTERS. 

Warren Williams A Young Architect 

Kitty His Wife 

Miss Minerva Mockrldge From Kankakee 

Maginnis Googin . . . The Janitor of the Apartment 

Mrs. Honoria Googin His Wife 

Eddie .....' The Elevator Boy 

Mrs. Laura Lacey Kitty's Chum 

Hogan A Policeman 

Hard Times Annie A Beggar 

Time of Playing — About Forty-five Minutes. 



Scene: Living room in an apartment house. 
Furnishings as desired. Several Christmas wreaths 
adorn the room. Kitty is discovered comfortably 
seated down L. reading a fashion magazine. The 
door bell at R. rings. 

Kitty. Come in. 

Enter Eddie, the colored elevator boy. He car- 
ries several Christmas packages. 

Eddie. Yas'm, I'm in. 

Kitty. Eddie ! 

Eddie. Yas'm, it's me. I 'clare I's loaded up 
like a reg'lar old Santa Claus. (Laughs loudly.) 
Yas'm, I sure am. 

Kitty. Anything for us, Eddie? 

Eddie. Two packages for you and one for Mr. 
Williams. Santa Claus is sure liberal to you-all. 



V 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Kitty {taking the three packages) . Thank you, 
Eddie. 

Eddie {briskly). I don't usually bring up de 
mail, Mis' Williams, but this is Christmas Day and 
mos' everybody is anxious to git all dat's comin' to 
'em. I knows I is. 

Kitty. Have you had a merry Christmas, Eddie? 

Eddie. No'm, not yet. All I got is a yaller and 
green striped necktie from {insert local name). He's 
been wearin' it for more'n a year. 

Kitty {has opened smaller package). Oh, it's 
from Rannie Stewart. {Takes off tissue paper, dis- 
closing a small bit of white embroidery tied with 
a huge pink bow.) Mercy! Another pin-cushion 
cover. That makes six I have already. Cost about 
twenty cents, and I sent her a perfectly lovely doily 
embroidered with scarlet forget-me-nots. I'll never 
send Rannie Stewart another present as long as I 
live. {Throws box and wrappings into waste basket.) 
Pink! And she knows my rooms are in blue and 
yellow. Eddie ! 

Eddie. Yas'm. 

Kitty. Here's a little Christmas present f or you. 
{Hands it to him.) 

Eddie {reads card on it). "Merry Christmas to 
my Darling Kittens." Is dat for me? 

Kitty. Oh, no; not the card, just the embroid- 
ery. 

Eddie {holding it up). Lawdy, Mis' Williams, 
what is dis yere? A dust cap? 

Kitty. It's a cover for a pin-cushion. Isn't it 
a dear? 

Eddie. I hopes you'll excuse me, but honest I 

204 



Her Christmas Hat 



hain't got no more use for dat thing dan a pussy 
cat has for a hot water bottle. 

Kitty (opening larger package). Throw it in 
the waste basket, Eddie. This is from Warren. I 
know the handwriting. It looks like a hat. (Opens 
box and removes wrappings, disclosing a hideous red 
and orange hat.) Heavens, what a nightmare! Red 
and orange and a style four years old. It must have 
come from the five dind ten cent store. Look at the 
plume! Oh! I 

Eddie (admiring it). Um-um, dat shore am a fine 
present. Your husband certainly am a man ob taste, 
he shore am. 

Kitty (sarcastically). Yes, he has wonderful 
taste, hasn't he? A little bizarre. No, it's more than 
bizarre; it's baroque. 

Eddie. It looks like a hat to me. 

Kitty. I know what I'll do. (Wraps it up and 
puts it back in box.) 

Eddie. Dat certainly was a nice present, Mis' 
Williams. Must have cost a heap of money. 

Kitty. It probably did. But it isn't my style. 
And Madame Brunot never exchanges hats. What 
a shame! I suppose he paid an enormous price for 
it and I could have satisfied myself with one for half 
the money. If only men would allow their wives to 
select their own Christmas presents. 

Enter Laura Lacey from R. 

Laura. Hello, Kittens. I saw your door open 
and came right in. 

Kitty (kisses her). That's right, Lolly. I was 
just going over to your apartment. I have a little 
present for you. 

205 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Laura. A present? You dear! (Kisses her 
again. ) 

Kitty. Yes. Here! (Gives her the box contain- 
ing the hat.) I hope you'll like it. 

Laura. A hat? Oh, you darling! (Kisses her 
again.) 

Warren (outside L.). Kitty! 

Kitty (goes to door at L.). Yes, Warren? 

Warren. I can't find my collar button. 

Kitty. Did you look on the dresser? 

Warren. Of course I did. I've looked every 
place except in the refrigerator. 

Kitty. I'll be back in a minute, Laura. Excuse 
me. (Hurries out L.) 

Laura (opens the box hastily and takes out the 
hat). Red and orange! Horrors! And I gave her 
a cut glass cold-cream jar that I got at the auction. 
I wouldn't wear this to a dog fight. Eddie ! 

Eddie. Yas'm. 

Laura. You've been a good boy to us all year. 
I'm going to give you a lovely Christmas present. 

Eddie. Is you? 

Laura. I'm going to give you this duck of a hat. 
(Holds it up.) 

Eddie (delighted). Dat red and yaller hat? 

Laura. Yes. Hurry and put it in the box. I 
don't want Kitty Williams to know I gave her 
Christmas present away. (They put it in box.) 

Eddie. Um-um! Dat shore am some Christmas 
present. Won't ma lady-love be delighted with all 
dat gorgeousness? I certainly am much obliged to 
you, Mis' Lacey; I shore am. 

Laura. When Kitty comes back tell her I was 
called to the 'phone. (Goes to door R.) I'll never 

206 



Her Christmas Hat 



give Kitty Williams another present as long as I 
live. (Exits R.) 

Enter Warren Williams from L. 

Warren. Hello, Eddie. Are you acting as Santa 
Claus? 

Eddie (who has put the hat on floor at rear). 
Yas, sah; yas, sah. I's old Santa Claus to most 
everybody 'cept maself. Looks like old Christmas 
done passed me by. 

Warren (sees package on table). Hello, here's a 
present for me. 

Eddie. Yas, sah. I brung it up. 

Warren (opens it). Cigars! From my wife. 
(Looks at box dubiously.) She must have got them 
at a bargain sale. (Reads cover.) Santas Odorifer- 
ous. (Passes box to Eddie.) Have a cigar, Eddie. 

Eddie. Yas, sah. Thank you, boss. 

Warren (lighting one). Now, that certainly is 
a sensible present. So many women don't know 
how to select a cigar, but Kitty — 

Eddie (smoking) . Yas, sah. Your wife certainly 
am a lady ob discernibility. She shore am. 

Warren. So many women give their husbands 
such foolish presents. 

Eddie. De lady in Apartment B done give her 
husband a pearl La Valliere for Christmas. 

Warren (takes cigar from mouth, looks at it a 
moment, replaces it and smokes furiously). You 
like a good cigar, don't you, Eddie? 

Eddie (removes his cigar, looks at it, replaces it). 
Yas, sah. I likes a good cigar. 

Warren. I tell you these are something like 
cigars, aren't they? 

207 



n * ■ 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Eddie. Yas, sail. Dey's sumpin like 'em, boss, 
but not quite. 

Warren {chokes and then throws cigar in cuspi- 
dor). I don't believe I care to smoke just now. 

Eddie {does the same). Neither does I, boss; 
neither does I. 

Warren. You wouldn't like a nice box of cigars 
for a Christmas present, would you, Eddie? 

Eddie {slowly). No, sah, I don' 'spects I would. 
Ma lady-love don't like to hab me smoke no cigars, 
kase she says it contaminates ma presence. Well, 
I's got to go and deliber de res' ob my Christmas 
packages. Merry Christmas, boss. {Exit R., carry- 
ing the hat in the box.) 

Enter Kitty from L. 

Kitty. Warren, I've laid out the costumes in 
your room. They're too lovely for anything. 

Warren. Well, did you get it? 

Kitty. Get it? 

Warren. Your Christmas present. 

Kitty. Oh, yes, I got it. {Looks around.) Why, 
where is Lolly? 

Warren. She probably got tired of waiting and 
went back to her apartment. How did you like the 
hat? 

Kitty. It was a dream. You're such a good boy 
and you have the most wonderful taste in the world. 

Warren. Your cigars were just what I wanted. 

Kitty. Why aren't you smoking one ? 

Warren. I did. Just one. 

Kitty. Just one? 

Warren {hastily). I mean — I only smoke one 
cigar in the afternoon, you know. But where is 
your hat? 

208 



Her Christmas Hat 



Kitty. I'm going to have it fixed over a little, 
Warren. Just enough to suit my own individuality, 
you know. 

Warren. Jack Dawson gave his wife a cook 
stove. 

Kitty. Speaking of impossible presents, I just 
got the most horrible pin-cushion cover from Rannie 
Stewart. I threw it in the waste basket. 

Warren. That's what comes of promiscuous 
giving. I told you how it would be. First I decided 
not to buy anything at all, but I couldn't resist that 
hat. Your tickets to the masquerade dinner and 
ball are the rest of the present. 

Kitty. But I told Lolly we'd take tickets from 
her. 

Warren. I know. I haven't bought the tickets 
yet. I meant the money for them was the rest of 
your present. That and the hat. All my presents 
are beautiful practical things that every one wants. 

Kitty. Yes, that's so. You have wonderful 
taste. 

Warren. I didn't even give Eddie anything. 

Kitty. It doesn't matter. Oh, Warren. (Sits 
on arm of his chair.) I'm so glad we're going to 
have tonight all to ourselves. Aunt Minerva would 
have spoiled everything. 

Warren. Is she so very awful? 

Kitty. Not awful; just good. Real downright 
good. And so intellectual. I'm sure she'd never ap- 
prove of a Christmas masquerade. 

(Ring at the bell at R.) 

Kitty. See who it is. 
Warren admits Maginnis Goo gin from R. 

Googin. Merry Christmas, sor. 
209 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Warren. The same to you, Googin. 

Googin. I jest drapped in to see if you naded 
any more heat or anything like that. My, my, but 
I've been working hard the day. Sure, to be the 
janitor of an apartment house is no cinch at all, at 
all. And paple are not as liberal as they used to be, 
aven at Christmas time. 

Warren. Have a cigar. 

Googin. Thank ye, sor. {Smokes one.) 

Kitty. Warren, you'd better try on your cos- 
tume. I might have to change something, you know. 

Warren. But I — 

Kitty. Please. We haven't got much time. It's 
after four. 

Warren {crosses to left). All right. {Exits L.) 

Kitty. Now, Mr. Googin, I want you to go down 
stairs and tell your wife to come up. I have a nice 
little present for her. 

Googin {brightening). Have ye, now? A prisint 
for Honoria? Sure, it's a kind and thoughtful lady 
ye are. 

Kitty. She's at home, isn't she? 

Googin. She is that. 

Kitty. Ask her to come up here and wish us a 
merry Christmas. 

Warren appears at L. 

Warren. Kitty, how does that ruffle thing work? 
I can't get it around my head at all. I don't know 
the combination. 

Kitty. Oh, I must have sewed it together. Can't 
you get it over your head? 

Warren. Not without choking myself. 

Kitty. Wait a minute. I'll rip it for you. 
{Exits L.) 

210 



Her Christmas Hat 



Warren (gets box of cigars and hands it to 
Googin). Here's a little Christmas present, Googin. 
They're awfully good. I smoked two of them. 

Googin (lights one). Thank ye, sor. 

Warren. Don't let my wife see you smoking in 
here. She doesn't like it. 

Googin (chokes, takes cigar from mouth, looks at 
it). What kind of a stogie is it, Mr. Williams? 
/ Warren. It's pure Havana. Santas Odorif- 
erous. 

Googin (smells it). It's odoriferous all right, all 
right. Begorry, it smells like someone had been 
burnin' the beans. 

Warren. That's the way all pure Havanas smell. 

Googin. I think I'll chop 'em up and smoke 'em 
in me pipe. Much obliged, sor, and merry Christmas 
to the both of yeez. Tell yer wife that me and 
Honoria will be right up. (Exits R.) 

Enter Kitty from L. 

Kitty. It's all right now. I left an opening. 
And I sewed on the last pompon. Warren, don't you 
think we ought to remember the Googins? 

Warren. I do remember them. When people 
have faces like the Googins one never forgets them. 

Kitty. He's such a good janitor. Really, I think 
we ought to make them a little present. 

Warren. But I'm busted, Kitty. Those mas- 
querade tickets will take our last cent. 

Kitty. We might give the Goggins some little 
thing here. (Looks around.) I have it! 

Warren. Yes ? 

Kitty. We'll give them Aunt Minerva's picture. 

Warren. Thank goodness. At last we've found 
a use for Aunt Minerva's picture. Ever since you 

211 



Merry Christmas Plays 



hung it up there it's haunted me. But the Googins 
don't want it. 

Kitty. I'm sure they will. They're frightfully 
poor and it would just match their furniture, I'm 
sure. Henceforth Aunt Minerva shall shed her light 
in the basement. 

Enter Mrs. Googin from R., followed by Googin, 
smoking a cigar. 

Mrs. Googin. A merry Christmas to the both 
of yeez. (To Kitty.) Me man Maginnis tould me 
ye wanted to see me. 

Kitty (at R.). Yes, indeed; come right in. 

Mrs. Googin. I know what it is, darlin'. Sure 
it's a bit of a prisint fer me and the childer, now 
ain't it, Mrs. Williams? (Smiles.) 

Kitty (at R.). What a good guesser you are. 

Mrs. Googin. The Widow O'Toole, her in Apart- 
ment C, was after givin' me one of her ould worn- 
out waists. But I took her down a peg as quick as 
a wink. I'm a lady, I am, and me mother was a lady 
before me, and I don't accept cast-off clothes fer 
Christmas prisints. 

Kitty. You don't. (At R. C. near front with 
Mrs. Googin.) 

Googin (at rear L. with Warren). And nather 
do I. 

Mrs. Googin. The ould bachelor in Apartment 
F gave me a fine prisint. I brung it up to show 
yeez. (Shows fancy waste basket, tied with ribbon 
bows.) It's a new bunnet. (Puts it on her head.) 
Sure, that's a Christmas prisint that touches me 
heart. 

Kitty. I'm going to give you that picture. 
(Points to crayon portrait.) 

212 



Her Christmas Hat 



Mrs. Googin. The picture of the ould lady, is it? 

Kitty. Yes. It's a lovely frame. 

Mrs. Googin. And it's a nice lookin' ould lady, 
too. She looks a little like me own mother, who be- 
fore she was married to a Mulvaney was a McShane. 

Kitty. Warren, take it down. 

Warren. With pleasure. {Takes picture down.) 

Mrs. Googin (taking the picture). Sure, I have 
no picture of me own mother at all, at all. More's 
the pity. I'll jist take this picture and then I'll be 
after tellin' all me frinds that it is a likeness of me 
mother who was a McShane from County Kilkenny. 
(Sits R.) 

Googin. Would ye decave yer frinds, Honoria? 

Mrs. Googin. A little deception is the spice of 
life. And besides it looks enough like herself to be 
her own photygraft. Don't it, Maginnis? 

Googin. Sure it looks like a chromo to me. 

Mrs. Googin (angrily). A chromo, is it? 

Googin. Yis, or wan of them comic valentines. 

Mrs. Googin. Listen to that now. He says me 
own mother looks like a chromo and a comic valen- 
tine. I'm a lady, I am, and me mother was a lady 
before me, and if I wasn't a lady, sure I'd break the 
picture over yer head, Maginnis Googin. Insulted 
am I and right before me face ! ( Weeps. ) Oh, wurra, 
wurra, that me own ould mother, who was a Mc- 
Shane, should live to see that day whin her daugh- 
ter's own husband would call her a comic valentine. 
(Weeps and rocks back and forth.) 

Googin (close to her). I said nawthin' about yer 
mother, Honoria Googin. I only remarked that the 
picture resimbled a comic valentine. And it do. 
And I'll lave it to Mr. Williams whither I'm right 
or no. 

213 



1 



.>,.■ 



^y 



■ 

Merry Christmas Plays 

Mrs. Googin (rises with dignity, goes to Kitty). 
I thank ye kindly fer yer prisint, Mrs. Williams, 
and I wish yeez all the compliments of the season. 
(Turns to Googin savagely.) As fer you, Maginnis 
Googin, ather ye beg me mother's pardon fer yer 
insults, or it's nather bite ner sup ye'll git in my 
house this night. (Sails out at R. carrying picture 
and waste basket.) 

Googin. Wait a minute. Listen to me, Nora, 
darlin'. Let me explain. (Follows her out at R.) 

Warren. Well, there goes Aunt Minerva. 

Kitty. And she sent it to us last Christmas. 

Warren. I'm glad she decided not to visit us 
this year. Money is scarce at the end of the month 
and she's better off in Kankakee. New York isn't 
any place for Aunt Minerva on Christmas Day. 

Kitty. I'm afraid auntie's gait is not quite up 
to New York in the holiday season. 

Warren. I think I'll try on my costume. Are 
you sure I can get into the ruff now? 

Kitty. Oh, yes. Wasn't that stupid of me? 
Just like making a skirt and then sewing up the top 
of it. (Exit Warren at L.) 

Enter Googin from R. 

Googin. Sure, it's a sad time we're havin' down 
in the basement. 
*2— Kitty. What has happened? 

Googin. Herself has locked the door of the 
apartment and divil a bit will she open it at all. 

Kitty. Why, Mr. Googin ! 

Googin. I'm in a pretty pickle now. All me 
money is locked up in me house with Honoria. You 
could be doin' me a great favor, if ye would, Mrs. 
Williams, mum. 

214 



Her Christmas Hat 



Kitty. What is it, Mr. Googin? 

Googin. Go down to the basement and tell me 
wife to open the door to her lawful wedded husband. 

Kitty. Why, of course I will. (Exits R.) 

Googin (sits down comfortably and lights a cigar 
from his box). Sure, it's a sad Christmas for me, 
so it is, whin Honoria lets an ould picture come be- 
chune a man and his wife. (Smokes.) Begorry, I 
smell something. (Sniffs.) It's awful. (Rises.) 
Some wan is burning some rubber. Maybe I've got 
too much hate on in the radiators. (Sniffs.) My, 
my, what an awful smell. (Removes cigar and looks 
at it, smells it, makes horrible grimace.) Oh, ho, so 
it's you, is it? (Throws it in cuspidor.) No wonder 
they call it Santas Odoriferous. If that cigar came 
from Havana they'd ought to take it back there 
again and give it a dacent burial. 

Enter Eddie from R. with the hat in box. 

Eddie. Say, Mr. Googin! 

Googin. What is it, Eddie? 

Eddie. Does you want to buy a nice Christmas 
present for a lady? 

Googin. Maybe I do. What is it? 

Eddie. A nice hat. Right in de latest style. 
Jes' come home from de millinery store. Mis' Lacey 
gib it to me for a Christmas present, and I ain't got 
no use for it. 

Googin. Begorry, that's a good idea. I'll make 
peace with me wife. Eddie, I'll trade ye a nice box 
of cigars for the hat. 

Eddie. Is 'em some ob Mistah Williamses cigars? 

Googin. They are. Santas Odoriferous. 

Eddie. Man, man, I wouldn't deprive you ob 
dem cigars for de world. 

215 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Googin. Sure it's no depravity at all, at all. 

Eddie. I'll sell you de hat for two dollars cash 
money. 

Googin. Two dollars, is it? 

Eddie. Yas, sah, and it's worth 'bout ten dollars. 
De lady done say it's worth more'n ten dollars. 

Googin. I'll take it. (Takes out old wallet, 
counts out two dollars in small change and gives it 
to Eddie.) 

Eddie. Yas, sah. Dat's right. 

Googin. There's yer two dollars. 

Eddie. And dere's yer hat. (Gives him box.) 
Excuse me, boss. I hears de elevator bell. (Exits 
R.) 

Googin (opens box and looks at the hat). Be- 
gorry, I've been robbed. Eddie! Ye thavin' nagur, 
come here. Niver in all the world would me wife 
wear an orange hat. She hates orange worse ner 
pizen. 
Enter Kitty from R. Googin has hat in the box. 

Kitty. It's all right, Mr. Googin. I had a long 
talk with your wife and she's all ready for you. 

Googin. Ready for me? With a flatiron belike. 

Kitty. No, no. Her face is wreathed in smiles. 
She's waiting for you with a real Kilkenny welcome. 

Googin (smiles). Is she now? Sure, Mrs. Wil- 
liams, mum, it's a grand lady ye are. Excuse me, 
mum, but this bein' Christmas day, I was wonderin' 
whether you'd be after accepting a wee bit of a 
Christmas present from the likes of me? 

Kitty. Why, Mr. Googin, how very kind and 
thoughtful. 

Googin (hands her the box). It's here, mum. A 
fine hat it is. Right out of the millinery store. 

216 



Her Christmas Hat 



Kitty. Oh, thank you so much. I'm just crazy 
to see it. (Takes it out.) What! (Stares at it.) 

Googin. Ain't it a beauty, mum? 

Kitty (recovering). Oh, yes, indeed, Mr. Googin. 
But it is a far too expensive present for you to give 
me. You'd better give it to your wife. Here, I'll 
wrap it all up again. 

Googin. But me wife won't wear orange. 

Kitty. Tell her to take off the orange and re- 
place it with a green bow. I'll give her a nice green 
gauze bow. 

Googin (smiling). Will ye now? 

Kitty. Yes. Take it down to her now. It will 
please her so much. She'll welcome you with open 
arms. 

Googin. I'll do it. (Takes box.) And I'm much 
obliged for your trouble, mum. (Exits R.) 

Kitty. Warren ! 

Warren (outside L.). Yes? 

Kitty. Are you dressed yet? It's nearly five 
o'clock. 

Warren. Sure. 

Enter Warren from L., wearing white Pierrot 
costume. 

Kitty. Oh, it's a dream. 

Warren. I feel like a fool. Say, Kittens, you'd 
better get into yours. 

Enter Mrs. Googin from R. with picture. 

Mrs. Googin (not seeing Warren). Sure I had 
to run up to tell yeez that ivery thing was all right, 
Mrs. Williams. And it's a darlin' y 5 are. 

Kitty. Oh, I'm so glad. 

217 



■*— 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Mrs. Googin (seeing Warren). Howly snakes 
of Ireland, what's that? 

Kitty. That's Warren. 

Mrs. Googin. He gave me such a start. I thought 
it was wan of them circus clowns got loose, mum. 

Warren (gayly). Wait till you see me with my 
paint on. (Runs out L.) 

Mrs. Googin. Me husband has given me his con- 
sult and I can hang up the picture in me drawing- 
room, and he furthermore says that me mother is a 
quane and the picture is her perfect likeness. 

Kitty. Then I'm sure you'll have a very merry 
Christmas, Mrs. Googin. 

Mrs. Googin. I brought you up a little Christ- 
mas gift, mum. 

Kitty. You did? 

Mrs. Googin (takes out the hat). Ain't it a 
beauty ? 

Kitty. Indeed it is. But really you should keep 
that for yourself. 

Mrs. Googin. Indade I'll not. I says to Magin- 
nis, says I, "She's trated me like a lady, and I'll trate 
her like a lady also." So, here's yer Christmas pris- 
int and many happy returns of the day. 

Kitty. But this is such an expensive present, 
Mrs. Googin. Really, I — 

Mrs. Googin (loftily). What's ixpense bechune* 
f rinds ? 

Kitty. I don't think I ought to accept such a 
lovely gift. 

Mrs. Googin. Ye'll be hurtin' me feelings if ye 
don't. I'm a lady, Mrs. Williams, and me mother 
was a lady before me, and I have very, very sensitive 
feelings. 

218 



Her Christmas Hat 



Kitty (sighs, then takes hat and box). Very 
well, Mrs. Googin. Thank you so much. 

Mrs. Googin. And now I'll be goin' back to the 
basement. I hope ye have a pleasant time at yer 
party, mum. 

Kitty. Thank you, Mrs. Googin. 

Mrs. Googin. Are you goin' to fix yerself up 
like a circus clown, too? 

Kitty. Oh, no. I'm to be Pierrette. 

Mrs. Googin. Pierette, is it? Well, look out ye 
don't git pinched. Merry Christmas. (Exit R.) 

Enter Warren from L. 

Warren. Kittens, there's a poor beggar woman 
out on the back steps. Can't you find something 
for her? 

Kitty. No, I haven't a thing. (Sees hat box.) 
Oh, yes, I have! Tell her to come in. (Exit War- 
ren at L.) Now, I'll be rid of my Christmas hoodoo. 
(Puts hat in box.) 

Enter Hard Times Annie from L., weeping loudly. 

Annie. Oh, oh! On Christmas day! Just to 
think of it. Oh! (Wails.) 

Kitty. What is it, my good woman? What's 
the matter? 

Annie. Oh, mum, it's starving I am. A poor 
lone widow with sivin little children huddled up in 
the straw in a stable. No fire have we, no coal have 
we, no food have we. And on Christmas day, too. 
(Cries.) Could ye let me have a little money, mum? 

Kitty (looks in her purse and shows audience 
that it is empty.) No, I haven't any money. 

Annie. And it's such hard times we're having. 
With the cost of living so high and me with sivin 



*r~ 



Merry Christmas Plays 



children. No fire have we, no coal have we, no food 
have we. 

Kitty. I'm so sorry for you. 

Annie. Thank ye kindly, mum. And can you 
help me a little? 

Kitty. How would you like a nice winter hat? 
It's perfectly new and has never been worn. It's red 
and orange. 

Annie. Oh, lady, yer a fallen angel, so yer are, 
fallen right down from the skies. I'd rather have a 
nice winter hat than have a bushel of coal. 

Kitty. There it is. And merry Christmas. 

Annie. Thank you, mum. Has it got flowers on 
it or feathers? 

Kitty. Feathers. 

Annie. Oh, thank ye. Yer a fallen angel; in- 
dade ye are, mum. 

Kitty. You'd better go out this way. (Points 
to R.) I don't want my husband to see what I've 
given you. 

Annie. I know how it is, mum. I've had two of 
'em meself. But nather one was a circus clown, mum. 
I suppose that makes 'em bad-tempered. 

Kitty. Yes, I suppose so. Good-bye. 

Annie (crosses to door R.). Merry Christmas, 
mum. And bless ye for what ye have done for me 
this day. Yer a fallen angel, mum; indeed yer are. 
(Exits R.) 

Enter Warren from L. 

Warren. Get rid of her? 

Kitty. Yes. Gave her some little things. Now 
I must hurry and dress. How nice you look. I'll 
be ready in ten minutes. (Exit L.) 

(Ring at bell R.) 

220 



Her Christmas Hat 



Warren {opens the door, admitting Laura). 
Hello, Lolly. 

Laura. Are you all ready? 

Warren. Kittens has just started to dress. Did 
you get the tickets? 

Laura. Yes. Here they are. Jim's waiting for 
me. 

Warren (takes the two tickets). Thank you. 

Laura. I had an awful time getting the places 
reserved. 

Warren. Ten dollars, aren't they? 

Laura. Yes. 

Warren. Just a minute, till I get the money. 
Sit down. Kittens has the money. (Exit L.) 

Laura (calls after him). Hurry, please, Warren. 

Warren (outside). All right. 

Laura crosses to R. and sits. She takes up the 
fashion magazine and reads a moment. Rises impa- 
tiently and walks around the room, showing marked 
impatience. After a pause Kitty enters from L. 
wearing a kimono. 

Kitty. Laura ! 

Laura. Yes, dear. 

Kitty. That hat I gave you! 

Laura. The hat? 

Kitty. Yes, the one I gave you for Christmas. 
Warren had just given it to me as a present, and 
as it wasn't becoming to me so I gave it to you. 
Where is it? 

Laura. Why ? 

Kitty. He put ten dollars in it at the millinery 
shop. It was hidden in the lining. The ten dollars 
for the tickets. 

Laura. Good heavens ! 



221 






Merry Christmas Plays 



Kitty. So that pays you for the tickets, doesn't 
it? 

Laura. But I gave it away. 

Kitty. Why, Laura ! 

Laura. It wasn't becoming to me, either. I gave 
it to Eddie. 

Kitty {weakly). To Eddie? 

Laura. Of course I didn't know it had ten dol- 
lars hidden in the lining. 

Kitty. I didn't think you'd treat my present 
that way. 

Laura. Now, Kittens — 

Kitty {angrily). Gave it to the negro elevator 
boy. Well, I like that! That hat cost ten dollars. 

Laura. I never could have worn it. 

Kitty. But you shouldn't have given it away. 

Laura. Warren gave it it to you and you gave 
it away. 

Kitty. That's different. 

Laura. Shall I explain to Warren? 

Kitty. No ; for goodness sakes, don't do that ! 
I haven't a cent to my name and I can't explain to 
Warren. How can I tell him I gave his Christmas 
present away? 

Laura. Send for Eddie and make him give you 
the ten dollars. 

Kitty. Eddie hasn't got it. 

Laura. What did he do with it? 

Kitty. I don't know. A beggar woman has the 
hat now. I saw her with it. 

Laura. Then she has the ten dollars. 

Kitty. Laura, you'll have to trust me until the 
first of the month. 

Laura {coldly). Oh, very well, 
portance. 

222 



Her Christmas Hat 



Kitty. Now, Laura — 

Laura (crosses to door R.). In the future I'd 
advise you to keep your Christmas presents. I must 
go now. Jim is waiting for me. 

Kitty. Lolly — 

Laura. We'll probably see you at the dinner. 
(Exit R.) 

Kitty (crying). I'll never give another present 
away as long as I live. 

Warren (outside L.). Hurry, Kittens ; it's almost 
time to go. 

Kitty. In a minute. (Exits L.) 

Enter Eddie from R., followed by Miss Minerva. 
She carries the hat in her hand. 

Miss M. That will do, boy. Mr. Williams is my 
nephew. I'll find him. 

Eddie. Lawdy, now she's got de hat. (Exits R.) 
Enter Warren from L. 

Warren (to Miss M.). I beg pardon? 

Miss M. Heavens! 

Warren. What's the matter? 

Miss M. I thought you were a ghost. 

Warren. I am Mr. Williams. 

Miss M. You are? (Drops everything, runs to 
him and shakes both his hands heartily.) Don't you 
know me? 

Warren. No ; never saw you before in my life. 

Miss M. I'm your Aunt Minerva. 

Warren. Not Aunt Minerva Mockridge from 
Kankakee ? 

Miss M. (positively). Aunt Minerva Mockridge 
from Kankakee. 

Warren. But I thought you said you weren't 
coming. 

223 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Miss M. I changed my mind. And I wanted to 
surprise you and Kitty. 

Warren. Well, you did. You've surprised us 
all right. 

Miss M. Let me sit down. I've had such an ad- 
venture. (Holds up hat.) See what I brought you? 

Warren. A hat? 

Miss M. Yes, what's left of it. 

Warren. It looks just like the one I gave Kit- 
tens for a Christmas present. 

Miss M. I got out of the taxi at the corner and 
was walking along trying to find the house when all 
of a sudden I heard a great commotion down the 
street behind me. I turned around and just then a 
man darted right at me, slapped the hat in my hand 
and was off like the wind. A crowd of policemen 
were chasing him. I slipped into the vestibule of 
a building and luckily it was this house. 

Enter Eddie and Hogan from R. 

Eddie. You can't come in yere. Not unless you 
got a search warrant. 

Hogan. I saw her run into the vestibule, boy — 
and I'll find her if I have to search every apartment 
from piano to ice-box. (Sees Miss M.) There she 
is now. That woman just came up in the elevator, 
didn't she? 

Eddie. Yassir, boss ; dat's de one. 

Hogan (goes to Miss M.). Come on with me. I 
guess I've got you at last. 

Miss M. What do you mean? 

Warren. Officer, this lady is my aunt. I am 
Mr. Williams, the owner of this apartment. 

Hogan (to Eddie). Is that man the owner of 
this apartment? 

224 



Her Christmas Hat 



Eddie. Yessir, boss; dat's Mr. Williams. 

Hogan. And you say this lady is your aunt? 

Miss M. Of course I'm his aunt. 

Hogan. That'll do you! Keep still or I'll put 
the bracelets on ye. 

Warren. Well, she said she was my aunt. 

Hogan. Have ye ever seen her before? 

Warren. No, sir. 

Hogan (turns to Eddie at R.). Ye hear? He 
thinks she's his aunt and yet he niver seen her before. 
This woman is a crook. One of the worst in the 
country. She's old Boston Bell and is wanted in 
Omaha for highway robbery, in Salt Lake for arson, 
in Chicago for shoplifting, in Columbus for assault 
and battery, and in New York for receiving stolen 
goods. 

Warren. And I thought she was my Aunt 
Minerva. 

Miss M. (at L. C). Warren Williams, are you 
going to let that man stand there and insult me? 
Throw him out of your house. 

Hogan (C). I was standing on me beat when I 
saw Dopey Daniel snatch a swell hat from a poor 
old woman. She screams and he hot-foots it down 
the street with me after him. This dame was stand- 
ing at the corner. She was working with him. He 
saw we had him all right, so he slipped the hat to 
her and she made a getaway up the elevator. Come 
on, Boston Bell. I've got you with the goods on you. 
I want that hat for evidence. Now will you come 
easy or must I use the cuffs? (Pulls her to door R.) 
Miss M. (screams). Kitty, Kitty! Help, help! 

Enter Kitty from R. 
225 



Merry Christmas Plays 



Kitty. Aunt Minerva! {Rushes to her and em- 
braces her.) What is the meaning of all this? 

Aunt M. {at R., weeping). Oh, Kitty, Kitty, 
I'm arrested. On my first visit to New York. Oh, 
why did I ever leave Kankakee? 

Kitty. Warren, make him release her. 

Hogan. Are you sure she's your aunt? 

Kitty. Of course I am. Why, we have her pic- 
ture. There it is. Oh, no — I'd forgotten. 

Hogan. I believe the whole gang of yeez is a 
bunch of crooks. Yeez look like crooks, all drissed 
up like clowns and things. 

Kitty. Eddie, call the janitor. 

Eddie. Here he comes now. 

Enter Googin from R. with Mrs. Googin. 

Hogan. Maginnis Googin, is it yerself ? 

Googin. What's goin' on here, Hogan. Who's 
been pinched? 

Hogan. This dame is Boston Bell. We got her 
with the goods. She stole a hat. 

Kitty. Why, that's my hat. Isn't it, Warren? 

Warren. I thought it looked familiar. {Takes 
hat.) Yes, that's your hat. {Takes two five-dollar 
bills from the lining.) Now, I know it's your hat. 

Kitty. But where did you get it, Aunt Minerva? 

Miss M. Some man ran into me in the street and 
left it in my hand. 

Googin. Hogan, sure I think you've made a mis- 
take. 

Hogan. Do you know these folks, Googin? 

Mrs. Googin. I know them, Officer Hogan. It's 
the Williamses, and they're both perfect ladies. And 
I'm a lady, and so was me mother before me. 

226 



Her Christmas Hat 



Googin. Hush, Honoria. Ye've been drinkin' 
too much frozen egg nog. 

Mrs. Googin (crying). And the ould lady that 
ye've pinched, sure I blave it's me ould mother from 
Kilkenny, Ireland. Oh, Maginnis, they've pinched 
me ould mother. 

Googin. It's all a mistake, Hogan. 

Hogan (to Miss M.). Ye say a man ran into you 
in the street and left this hat in your hand? 

Miss M. Yes, sir. 

Hogan (to Kitty). And you say it's your hat? 

Kitty. Of course it is. 

Warren (goes to Hogan, gives him a five-dollar 
bill). I think that will be all, officer. Merry Christ- 
mas. 

Hogan. Merry Christmas to all of yeez. (Exits 
L., followed by Eddie.) 

Kitty. Mrs. Googin, this is my aunt, Miss Mock- 
ridge -from Kankakee. 

Mrs. Googin. Sure, I thought it was me ould 
mother from Kilkenny. Ye look enough like her 
to be her own twin sister, ye do. 

Googin. I came up to inform yeez that the taxi 
do be waiting. 

Miss M. Taxi? Are you going out? 

Kitty (looks at Warren). Well — er — that is — 
er we — 

Warren. Yes, er — we thought you weren't com- 
ing. 

Miss M. Where are you going? 

Kitty. We were going to a masquerade dinner 
dance, but now that you've come we'll stay at home. 

Googin (to Miss M.). Ye'd better go to the 
dance, mum. Ye'll have the time of yer life. Faith, 



Merry Christmas Plays 



they've nothin' like it in Kankakee. Come on, Hon- 
oria. 

Mrs. Googin. All of yeez come down and take 
tea wid me in the marnin' fer breakfast. Merry 
New Year and happy Christmas to all. I'm a lady 
and me mother was a lady before me, and I knows 
a lady whin I sees her. So I wish yeez all a happy 
Christmas and many of them. (Exits R. with 
Googin.) 

Warren. Shall I send the taxi away, Kittens? 

Miss M. I should say not. I'm going to that 
masquerade ball, if it's the last thing I ever do. 
That's why I came to New York. (Takes out purse.) 
Here's a hundred and twenty dollars. That's enough 
to see us through until breakfast, isn't it? 

Kitty. We mustn't keep the taxi waiting. Come 
on, auntie. We're going to show you the time of 
your life. 

Miss M. But I haven't any costume. 

Kitty (puts the hat on her head). There you 
are. Now you're all fixed. I knew I could make 
some use of my Christmas hat. Hurry, Warren. 
(They hurry out R. as curtain falls.) 

Curtain. 

NOTES ON THE PRODUCTION. 

This little satire on Christmas giving has been 

written to provide forty-five minutes of amusement 

for a holiday audience. The stage settings are very 

simple, a room with two doors being all that is 

required. 

COSTUMES. 

Warren— -A brisk young business man of about 
twenty-five. Ordinary winter suit for first entrance. 

228 



Her Christmas Hat 



Change to white Pierrot costume with white pumps, 
white socks, white pa jama suit with large black 
pompons, or discs of black satin, on it. Large stiff 
ruff of white tulle. Face whitened with grease paint. 
Black patches. Black satin half-mask in hand. 
Head covered with close fitting white covering in 
Pierrot style. 

Kitty — A bright, vivacious young wife of twen- 
ty-two. Afternoon dress at first, but choose one 
that may be quickly changed. Changed to kimono 
as indicated in text. On last entrance she wears a 
Pierrette costume, white pumps, hose, white tulle 
dress with very full skirts, ankle length. White 
clown cap. The dress may be trimmed with black 
satin discs, or pompons, or toy balloons in festoons, 
as desired. 

Miss Minerva — Aged forty-five. Gray hair. 
Spectacles. Dark traveling cloak and hat. Grip. 
She discards cloak and hat when Hogan releases her, 
showing a very gay dress beneath. Faint gray 
wrinkles of grease paint on face. 

Googin — Irish janitor. Red wig and whiskers all 
around face. Face reddened. White grease paint 
on upper lip. Red eyebrows. Old suit and cardigan 
jacket. 

Mrs. Googin — Portly lady in gaudy dress of cal- 
ico. Gray hair, parted. Green bows on costume. 
Face red and lined with gray grease paint. Use a 
decided Irish brogue. 

Eddie — Negro elevator boy. Face blackened with 
burnt cork. Uniform much too small for him. Ne- 
gro wig. 

Laura — Afternoon dress for first entrance. No 



Merry Christmas Plays 



hat, as she lives in the same apartment house. Mas- 
querade costume and opera cloak for last entrance. 

Hogan — Irish policeman. Uniform, helmet, billie, 
etc. 

Annie — Old shoes, very ragged dress, old gray 
shawl on head. Straggling locks of white hair show 
beneath shawl. Red patches. Face heavily lined 
with gray grease paint. Very old and dirty apron. 



230 



Plays for Schools and Colleges 

AARON BOGGS, FRESHMAN 

By Walter Ben Hare. Comedy in 3 acts; 8 males, 
8 females. Time, 2V 2 hours. Price, 25 cents 



AFTER THE GAME 

By Lindsey Barbee. Comedy in 2 acts; 1 male, 9 
females. Time, l 1 /^ hours. Price, 25 cents 



ALL A MISTAKE 

By W. C. Parker. Farce comedy in 3 acts; 4 
males, 4 females. Time, 2 hours. Price, 25 cents 



ALL ON ACCOUNT OF POLLY 

By Harry L. Newton. Comedy in 3 acts; 6 males, 
10 females. Time, 2% hours. Price, 25 cents 



AS A WOMAN THINKETH 

By Edith F. A. IT. Painton. Comedy in 3 acts; 9 
males, 7 females. Time, 2V 2 hours. Price, 25 cents 



AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW 

By Lindsey Barbee. Comedy in 3 acts; 6 males, 
14 females. Time, 2$£ hours. Price, 25 cents 



CIVIL SERVICE 

By Walter Ben Hare. Drama in 3 acts; 6 males, 
5 females. Time, 2% hours. Price, 25 cents 



THE CLASS SHIP 

By Edith F. A. U. Painton. Commencement play- 
let; 3 males, 8 females. Time, 35 minutes. 

Price, 15 cents 

CLUBBING A HUSBAND 

By Edith F. A. U. Painton. Comedy in 3 acts; 
12 females. Time, 2 hours. Price, 25 cents 



A COLLEGE TOWN 

By Walter Ben Hare. Farce comedy in 3 acts; 
9 males, 8 females. Time, 2 1 A hours. Price, 25 cents 



THE DEACON ENTANGLED 

By Harry Osborne. Comedy in 3 acts; 6 males, 
4 females. Time, 2 hours. Price, 25 cents 



THE FIFTEENTH OF JANUARY 

By Lindsey Barbee. Comedy in 3 acts; 11 males, 
10 females. Time, 2*4 hours. Price, 25 cents 



THE GRADUATE'S CHOICE 

By Edith F. A. U. Painton. Commencement play- 
let; 12 females. Time, 35 minutes. Price, 15 cents 



T. S. Denison & Company, Publishers 

154 West Randolph Street CHICAGO 



Plays for Schools and Colleges 

THE HIGH SCHOOL, FRESHMAN 

By Charles Ulrich. Comedy in 3 acts; 12 males. 
Time, 2 hours. . Price, 25 cents 



THE KINGDOM OF HEART'S CONTENT 

By Lindsey Barbee. Comedy in 3 acts; 6 males, 
12 females. Time, 2*4 hours. Price, 25 cents 



MACBETH A LA MODE 

By "Walter Ben Hare. Burletta in 3 acts; 7 males, 
7 females. Time, l 1 ^ hours. Price, 25 cents 



MRS. TUBBS OF SHANTYTOWN 

By Walter Ben Hare. Comedy drama in 3 acts; 
4 males, 7 females. Time, 2^ hours. Price, 25 cents 



PARLOR MATCHES 

By "Walter Ben Hare. Comedy of society in 2 
acts; 4 males, 5 females. Time, 1V 2 hours. 

Price, 25 cents 

A POOR MARRIED MAN 

By Walter Ben Hare. Farce comedy in 3 acts; 
4 males, 4 females. Time, 2 hours. Price, 25 cents 



A PRAIRIE ROSE 

By Edith F. A. U. Painton. Comedy drama in 4 
acts; 7 males, 4 females. Time, 2y 2 hours. 

Price, 25 cents 

RE-TAMING OF THE SHREW 

By John W. Postdate, Shakespearean travesty in 
1 act; 6 males, 5 females. Time, 45 minutes. 

Price, 25 cents 

SAVAGELAND 

By Walter Ben Hare. Musical comedy in 2 acts; 
5 males, 5 females. Time, 2V 2 hours. Price, 50 cents 

SHADOWS 

By Mary Moncure Parker. Play of today and a 

dream of the past; 3 males, 4 females. Time, 35 

minutes. Price, 15 cents 



SING A SONG OF SENIORS 

By Lindsey Barbee. Comedietta; 7 females. 
Time, 30 minutes. Price, 15 cents 



STAR BRIGHT 

By Edith F. A. U. Painton. Comedy drama in 3 
acts; 6 males, 5 females. Time, 2V 2 hours. 

Price, 25 cents 

A TRIAL OF HEARTS 

By Lindsey Barbee. Comedy in 4 acts; 6 males, 
18 females. Time, 2 1 ,4 hours. Price, 25 cents 



T. S. Denison & Company, Publishers 

154 West Randolph Street CHICAGO 



The Commencement 
Manual 

By EDITH F. A. U. PAINTON 

370 Pa^es of Plans, Helps, 
Suggestions 

A CREDITABLE and successful 
Commencement is assured if this 
book is consulted. Every angle of the 
subject is covered. The harried and 
perplexed teacher finds here the very 
feature or selection to assign each stu- 
dent for his individual Commencement 
effort, as well as many class features 
and entertainment novelties. Educa- 
tors and students will find it a mine of 
Commencement wealth. 

COXTEXTS; Salutatories (16); Valedictories (12); 
Histories (7 entirely new forms); Prophecies (8 
exceptionally original features); Class Colors (8 
combinations); Class Flower (9); Class Tell; The 
Will; Class Grumbler; Presentation of Diplomas (5 
forms); Class Drill, Cartoon; Class Songs (4); Class 
Poems (10); Class Mottoes with Essays (9, English 
and Latin); Suggested Mottoes (107); Class Plays 
(4); Suggestions for Novel Programs, Class Trial, 
Drama, Biography, Journey, Commencement Times 
— Last Edition, Debate, Reunion, Convention, 
Seance or Circle, Minstrels, Funeral, Pow-Pow, etc.; 
Baccalaureate Sermons (4). 

Beautiful cloth binding, gold lettering, 
clear attractive type, illustrated, 370 
pages. Price, $1.25 

T. S. Denison & Company, Publishers 

154 West Randolph Street CHICAGO 



Merry Monologues 

By MARY MONCURE PARKER 

THESE selections are wholly original and 
sufficiently varied in character and sen- 
timent to enable the reader to make up a well- 
rounded program in which high comedy 
mingles with farce and pathos in a manner 
suitable for all occasions. The book contains 
nineteen monologues and nine short poems 
which are especially adapted to that particular 
form of entertainment called the pianologue, 
viz., reading to music. 

Some of the selections are new but most of 
them are the pick from the author's wide rep- 
ertoire, which she has used throughout this 
country and in England. They bear the stamp 
of enthusiastic public approval and are now 
first offered to the public. 

CONTENTS: On the Street Car; The Renaissance 
of the Kiss; Husbands Is Husbands; Oh, Friend of 
Mine; George's First Sweetheart; Bobby and the 
New Baby; Lucile Gets Ready for a Dance; Mandy's 
Man and Safety First; Maggie McCarthy Goes on a 
Diet; Mrs. Climber Doesn't Like Notoriety; Lucindy 
Jones Expects a Legacy; Grown Folks Is So Awful 
Queer; At the Movies; The Gingie Boy; Ode to a 
Manikin; Isaacstein's Busy Day; Like Pilgrims to 
the Appointed Place; Mrs. Bargain Counter Meets a 
Friend; Mother Mine; Maggie McCarthy Has Her 
Fortune Told; In Vaudeville; Uncle Jim and the 
Liniment; The Funny Story; In the Milliner Shop; 
Mrs. Trubble's Troubles; George's Cousin Willie; 
When Lucindy Goes to Town; A Question. 

Beautiful eloth binding, lettering and 
design in two colors, clear attractive 
type. Price, 75c 

T. S. Denison & Company, Publishers 

154 West Randolph Street CHICAGO 






f 




Dances, Drills and Story-Plays 

By NINA B. LAMKIN 
Director of Normal Course in Physical Education at North- 
western School of Oratory and Physical 
Education, Evanston, III. 

FOURTEEN Folk Dances 
of various countries, 
suitable for schools, clubs, 
churches, settlements, etc. 
Twenty-six simple ^Esthetic 
Dances, as Dances cf the 
Seasons, Flower Dances, 
Brownies, Fairies, Bluebirds, 
etc. Twenty-four Drills for every day and 
holidays, unusual, artistic and worth while. 
Forty-one Rhythms and twelve Story-Plays to 
be used with primary ages in every-day recrea- 
tion, in dramatization and in entertainments. 
There is something in th.is book to fit any occa- 
sion where such material is desired. For Boy 
Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, Gymnasium Work, 
Play Festivals, Field Days, etc. Everything 
fully described. Suggestive music named and 
description of costumes given. Contains eight 
original photographs, half -toned, of various 
dances. 

Beautiful cloth binding, lettering and 
design in two colors, clear, attractive 
type. Price, 75c 



T. S. Denison & Company, Publishers 

154 West Randolph Street CHICAGO 



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